Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett
1849 -1924

Frances Hodgson Burnett Biography

Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett (November 24, 1849 – October 29, 1924) was a British-American novelist and playwright, celebrated for her enduring children's classics. Born in Cheetham, Manchester, England, she was the third of five children. After her father's death in 1853, the family's financial situation deteriorated, leading them to emigrate to the United States in 1865, settling in New Market, Tennessee.

           

To support her family, Burnett began writing stories, with her first published work appearing in 1868. She gained widespread acclaim with the publication of Little Lord Fauntleroy in 1886, a novel that not only captivated readers but also influenced children's fashion of the era. This success was followed by other beloved works, including A Little Princess (1905) and The Secret Garden (1911), both of which have become staples of children's literature.

           

Burnett's personal life was marked by both triumphs and tragedies. She married Dr. Swan Burnett in 1873, with whom she had two sons, Lionel and Vivian. The death of her eldest son, Lionel, in 1890 profoundly affected her, influencing the themes of loss and healing in her later works. Burnett was also a pioneer in advocating for authors' rights, notably securing legal recognition for the dramatic rights to her works.

           

In her later years, she resided in Plandome Manor, New York, where she continued to write and garden, passions that remained with her until her passing in 1924. Burnett's legacy endures through her timeless stories that continue to enchant readers of all ages.

           

Trivia About Frances Hodgson Burnett

  • Burnett's novel Little Lord Fauntleroy popularized the "Fauntleroy suit," a velvet cut-away jacket and knee pants outfit for boys.
  • She was an avid gardener, and her love for gardens is evident in The Secret Garden.
  • Burnett became a U.S. citizen in 1905 but maintained strong ties to England throughout her life.
  • She wrote over 50 books and 13 plays during her prolific career.
           

Famous Quotes by Frances Hodgson Burnett

  • "If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden."
  • "At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done—then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago."
  • "Everything's a story—you are a story—I am a story."
           

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Frances Hodgson Burnett?

Frances Hodgson Burnett was a British-American novelist and playwright, best known for her children's novels Little Lord Fauntleroy, A Little Princess, and The Secret Garden.

           

What inspired 'The Secret Garden'?

Burnett's love for gardening and her creation of a walled garden at her home in Kent, England, inspired the setting and themes of The Secret Garden.

           

How did Frances Hodgson Burnett contribute to authors' rights?

She successfully secured legal recognition for the dramatic rights to her novel Little Lord Fauntleroy, setting a precedent that benefited other authors in protecting their works from unauthorized adaptations.

           

Related Literary Movements

Burnett's works are associated with the late Victorian and Edwardian literary movements, characterized by a focus on social issues, moral development, and the inner lives of children. Her storytelling often reflects themes of resilience and transformation.

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