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Frances Hodgson Burnett 1849 ~ 1924

 


Frances Hodgson Burnett

Was born in Manchester, England, November 24, 1849. Her father was a well-to-do merchant. He died when she was but ten years old. Soon after his death the family removed to Tennessee to reside with an uncle. They settled in Knoxville, but her uncle having lost everything by the war, they made their home in the country and experienced the greatest poverty. Her mother's health failed under these trying conditions, and she died about two years after.

Frances Hodgson obtained a position as school teacher, receiving her pay in flour, bacon, eggs and potatoes. She had early shown much talent in story writing, and at thirteen she wrote quite a creditable story, which her sister insisted on sending to a publisher. The only difficulty in the way of accomplishing this was how to procure the necessary postage, and a basket of wild grapes was sold by these two girls to pay for the mailing of the manuscript to Ballou's Magazine. As the publisher did not wish to pay for the printing of the story, which he had complimented in his letter to Frances, it was returned and sent to Godey's Ladie's Book, and from this source she received her first remuneration.

Later she became a regular contributor to Peterson's Magazine and the publication of "Mrs. Carruther's Engagement" and another story entitled "Hearts and Diamonds" fixed the author's vocation. In 1873, she married Swan Moses Burnett. They had two children, the heroes of "Little Lord Fauntleroy," Mrs. Burnett's most famous story. The one named Lionel died in Paris. Vivian was the little Lord Fauntleroy of her story. "That Lass o' Lowrie's" "Pretty Polly Pemberton," "The Fair at Grantley Mills," "A Fair Barbarian" and "A Lady of Quality," are some of Mrs. Burnett's novels. Among her plays are: "Little Lord Fauntleroy," "The First Gentleman of Europe" and "A Lady of Quality." Her work has brought to Mrs. Burnett quite a handsome fortune. She now makes her home in England.

Women of America

Source: The Part Taken by Women in American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.

 

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