"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." - Pride and Prejudice

The man, described in the opening line of Jane Austen's classic fiction "Pride and Prejudice," may be based on a real person. The identity of dreamy Fitzwilliam Darcy, or simply Mr. Darcy, bears a resemblance to a real British aristocrat by the name of John Parker, the first Earl of Morley. This is surmised by the author of the the book on sex scandals in England during the 19th century entitled "Through the Keyhole: Sex, Scandal and the Secret Life of the Country House."

In an interview with The Telgraph, the author of the book, historian Dr. Susan Law, said that she had went through several diary entries and various letters in order to find the man behind Mr. Darcy: John Parker the Earl. The author claimed that Jane Austen must knew the Earl through the latter's second wife, Frances. Austen's brother, Harry, also knew Parker in college.

"It is clear that Jane Austen had very close links with the family. She sent Frances one of the first editions of Emma - when she only had 12 printed," the author said. Law even alleged that "Pride and Prejudice" was written by Frances, at the time when Austen released it anonymously.

"Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mien...the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening..." -Pride and Prejudice

In "Pride and Prejudice", Mr. Darcy was often described as handsome and charming, but had questionable manners. Such is the case with John Parker, as well. The young Earl was reportedly involved in a sex scandal in 1809 that led to a divorce and an illegitimate child.

However, Law cannot be "100 percent" sure whether Mr. Darcy is based on Parker, as there was no concrete evidence that would link the two men to each other. "It can be very frustrating and it is like trying to piece together a jigsaw. It has been fascinating and I have been longing to find that cast iron bit of evidence," Law said in the interview. Although she is not sure, the author said she is "pretty convinced" with what she had discovered.

For years, Jane Austen fans have speculated as to who the real Mr. Darcy is. Aside from John Parker, many speculated that it could be Thomas Lefroy, the rumored lover of Austen, or Dr. Samuel Backall, a fellow of Emmanuel College that Austen met while on vacation.

Incidentally, Mr. Darcy may not be the only work of of fiction that is inspired by the Earl.  John Parker's indiscretion may have inspired the plot of another classic novel, "Mansfield Park," according to Law.  

Regardless of the authenticity of Law's claims, "Through the Keyhole: Sex, Scandal and the Secret Life of the Country House" makes for some interesting gossip over some tea and scones.