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Part of the American
History & Genealogy Project |
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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