In 'Emma', what is the name of Emma Woodhouse's former governess?

In Jane Austen’s *Emma*, Emma Woodhouse’s former governess is Anne Taylor, later known as Mrs Weston.

Miss Taylor has been part of the Woodhouse household for sixteen years, serving not only as Emma’s governess but also as a close companion and surrogate mother. Her marriage to Mr Weston at the beginning of the novel leaves Emma without her most intimate friend and helps spark Emma’s enthusiasm for matchmaking.

After marrying, Miss Taylor becomes Mrs Weston and moves to Randalls, a nearby house in Highbury. Emma proudly believes she helped bring the couple together, although Mr Knightley suggests that the match was already developing naturally. Mrs Weston remains one of Emma’s most trusted advisers, even when Emma ignores her cautions.

A common mix-up is to call her simply “Mrs Weston” when the question asks for her name before marriage. Jane Fairfax is another young woman connected with governessing, but she is not Emma’s former governess.