Jane Eyre (originally published as Jane Eyre: An Autobiography) was published on 16 October 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. of London, England, under the pen name 'Currer Bell.' The first American edition was released the following year by Harper & Brothers of New York. Writing for the Penguin edition, Stevie Davies describes it as an 'influential feminist text' because of its in depth exploration of the main female character's feelings.