Frances Hodgson Burnett

NAME Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett

WHAT FAMOUS FOR A prolific British-American author, best known for her children's novels, including Little Lord Fauntleroy and A Little Princess.

BIRTH Frances Hodgson was born on November 24, 1849, in Cheetham, Manchester, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Frances was the third of five children in a middle-class family. Her father, Edwin Hodgson, owned a thriving ironmongery business, but his early death in 1853 left the family in financial hardship. Her mother, Eliza Boond, came from a well-to-do Manchester family

CHILDHOOD As a child, Frances spent hours acting out scenes from stories like Uncle Tom's Cabin. This imaginative spirit carried through to her adult life, where she became known for her romantic and sentimental themes in both her children's and adult fiction. 

The Hodgson family initially lived comfortably, with Edwin owning an ironmongery and brass goods business in Deansgate, Manchester. They employed a maid and a nurse-maid, indicating their relative prosperity. However, this comfortable life was short-lived.

When Frances father died it left the family in financial distress. Her mother Eliza attempted to keep her husband's business afloat, but the family continued to struggle. Over the next eleven years, their circumstances deteriorated, forcing them to move into progressively smaller houses.

Burnett as a young woman

In 1865, when Frances was about 16 years old, the family's financial situation became dire. The American Civil War had devastated Manchester's cotton economy, depleting the last of the Hodgsons' resources. In response, the family emigrated to the United States, settling in New Market, Tennessee, where they lived with Frances's maternal uncle.

The early years in Tennessee were challenging. The family lived in a log cabin during their first winter in New Market, outside Knoxville. Despite the hardships, it was here that Frances began her writing career at age 19, publishing stories in magazines to help support her family

EDUCATION Frances's formal education was limited. For about a year, she attended a small dame school run by two women. However, much of her education was self-directed. She was an avid reader and spent considerable time educating herself

Frances was largely self-taught, immersing herself in literature and writing from a young age. She displayed a natural gift for storytelling, often entertaining her siblings with her imaginative tales.

CAREER RECORD Began publishing short stories in her teens to support her family. Her writing gained popularity in American magazines, and she later published several novels. Her breakthrough came with Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886), inspired by her son Vivian.

APPEARANCE Frances Burnett was described as elegant, with a vibrant personality that shone through in her public appearances.

Burnett in 1888

FASHION Burnett was known for her love of Victorian attire, which included feather boas, buttons, and lace. Her clothing style was considered flamboyant for the time, and she was noted for her dramatic flair, earning her the nickname "Fluffy" from her family.

Burnett's fashion sense extended to her children as well; she famously dressed her sons in velvet suits with lace collars and allowed their hair to grow long, which she styled into curls. This style was immortalized in her character Little Lord Fauntleroy.

During a house fire, she reportedly went back in to rescue her clothes, demonstrating her attachment to her wardrobe.

CHARACTER Despite personal hardships, she maintained a resilient and optimistic outlook and a love of life. She was known for her flamboyant style, often adorning herself in Victorian attire and dramatic accessories. This flair for the dramatic extended to her personality, as she was nicknamed "Fluffy" by her family and frequently signed her letters "Fluffina."

SENSE OF HUMOUR Burnett's wit and charm were evident in her letters and social interactions, and she often infused humor into her writing.

Her "Tuesday conversation groups" were popular social events, suggesting she was an engaging and likely humorous hostess.

RELATIONSHIPS Frances Hodgson Burnett married Dr. Swan Burnett in September 1873, a union that would ultimately prove to be challenging. Despite their initial hopes, the couple's differences in personality and lifestyle led to increasing strain on their relationship.

Frances, an ambitious and outgoing writer, often found herself at odds with Swan's more reserved and traditional nature. Her growing literary fame and frequent travels further exacerbated the divide between them. As her career flourished, the financial balance shifted, potentially causing tension and resentment.

Additionally, Frances's unconventional behavior, including her love of smoking and her independent spirit, may have clashed with societal expectations and strained the marriage. It is suggested that she had affairs with other men during this time, further contributing to the breakdown of the relationship.

The couple eventually separated and lived apart for many years before officially divorcing in 1898. While the divorce proceedings were marked by formal accusations, the underlying issues had been brewing for years, ultimately leading to the dissolution of their marriage.

The couple had two sons: Lionel, born in September 1874 and Vivian, born in 1876. Tragically, Lionel died of consumption (tuberculosis) at the age of 15 in 1890, which deeply affected Frances and sent her into a depression. Vivian, her younger son, survived to adulthood and was the inspiration for the character of Little Lord Fauntleroy.

Frances Hodgson Burnett's second marriage, to Stephen Townesend, was brief and tumultuous. The couple, with a significant age difference, wed in 1900. However, the union was marked by incompatibility and a sense of constraint on Burnett's part.

It appears that Burnett's motivation for marrying Townesend was complex, likely influenced by a desire to reward his support during her son Lionel's illness. However, the marriage quickly proved to be a mismatched pairing. Burnett felt pressured and unhappy, expressing her frustration in private correspondence.

The marriage lasted only a year, ending in divorce in 1901. This brief and tumultuous experience left a lasting impact on Burnett, inspiring her to seek solace and escape through her writing.

Following this second failed marriage, Burnett chose to live the remainder of her life as a single woman, focusing on her literary pursuits and personal growth.

MONEY AND FAME Frances achieved significant financial success and fame from her writing, particularly after the publication of Little Lord Fauntleroy.

She was a generous and compassionate individual, using her wealth and influence to support various charitable causes, particularly those benefiting children.

FOOD AND DRINK  Frances Hodgson Burnett had a deep appreciation for the culinary arts. This is evident in her beloved novel, The Secret Garden, where food plays a significant role in the characters' physical and emotional transformation.

One striking example is Mary Lennox, a young girl who initially views food with disdain. As she begins to heal and connect with nature, her appetite returns. A simple bowl of porridge becomes a symbol of her newfound vitality and appreciation for life's simple pleasures.

The novel also celebrates the English tradition of teatime, highlighting the comforting and social aspects of sharing food. The mention of warm cranberry scones, fruit tea loaf, cucumber sandwiches, and currant buns evokes images of cozy gatherings and delicious treats.

MUSIC AND ARTS Burnett had an affinity for the arts and enjoyed incorporating vivid descriptions of music and visual beauty into her work.

Burnett wrote and produced 13 plays that appeared in London's West End and on Broadway.

She was prescient about the growing importance of film, ensuring she retained film rights to her books.

LITERATURE Frances Hodgson Burnett, a woman of considerable pluck, was born in the grimy industrial city of Manchester, England. Her idyllic childhood was rudely interrupted in 1853 when her father shuffled off this mortal coil, leaving the family in a bit of a pickle. To escape the gloom, they upped sticks and headed to the United States, settling in the sleepy town of New Market, Tennessee. It was there, at the tender age of nineteen, that Frances began her literary career, scribbling away at stories to help keep the wolf from the door.

After a brief spell in Paris the Burnetts returned to the United States, settling in Washington, D.C. It was here that Frances really hit her stride, penning a string of novels that captivated readers on both sides of the Atlantic. Her breakthrough came with Little Lord Fauntleroy, a heartwarming tale that made her a household name.

1886 first edition of Little Lord Fauntleroy 

In the 1880s, Frances developed a fondness for England, spending increasing amounts of time there. Eventually, she bought a place of her own, a cozy little spot where she would write her most enduring work, The Secret Garden.

Writing was Burnett's primary passion and profession. She was a prolific author, producing 53 novels in total, with most of them being for adults rather than children. Her love for storytelling began in childhood, when she would tell stories to her classmates during recess. Her writing was influenced by Victorian and Romantic traditions, with themes of transformation and redemption.

NATURE She had a deep appreciation for nature, which is prominently reflected in The Secret Garden. The novel is renowned for its rich imagery and the way it captures the transformative power of nature. Burnett uses detailed descriptions to create a lush, immersive world that highlights the beauty and restorative qualities of the garden itself.

PETS Burnett was fond of animals, and her characters often displayed affection for pets, reflecting her own sentiments.

Burnett had a pet robin that she formed a close relationship with during her time at Maytham Hall in Kent, England. This robin inspired the "robin" episodes in her famous novel The Secret Garden.

Burnett wrote a memoir titled My Robin about her experiences with this bird, which was published as a separate book in September 1912. In My Robin, Burnett detailed her relationship with the bird, including her tendency to anthropomorphize its behaviors, suggesting a deep emotional connection with her pet.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Burnett had a green thumb and a wanderlust spirit. As a child, she'd spend hours exploring the fields near her Manchester home, a precursor to her lifelong love of nature. It wasn't until she was 55 that she took up gardening herself, cultivating a particular fondness for roses. Her passion for gardening blossomed into her most famous work, The Secret Garden.

The Secret Garden (1911)

SCIENCE AND MATHS While her works do not focus on these subjects, her attention to detail suggests a keen observational ability.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Frances Hodgson Burnett, a woman of deep spiritual curiosity, wove a tapestry of belief that was both eclectic and profound. She drew inspiration from various spiritual movements, including New Thought, Christian Science, and Theosophy, yet never confined herself to a single doctrine. Her philosophy was a work in progress, shaped by personal experiences, particularly the tragic loss of her son Lionel and her own battles with depression.

At the heart of Burnett's worldview was a belief in the power of the mind. She was a fervent advocate of positive thinking, a central tenet of the New Thought movement. This belief is vividly depicted in The Secret Garden, where characters like Colin Craven are transformed through the power of their thoughts and their connection with nature.

Burnett also shared some of the core principles of Christian Science, particularly the idea that illness can be a manifestation of negative thinking. Her own experiences with physical and mental health issues led her to seek solace in faith healing and the power of the mind to heal the body.

Nature was another source of spiritual inspiration for Burnett. She saw the natural world as a sacred space, imbued with a divine energy that could heal and transform. The garden, a recurring motif in her work, is a powerful symbol of renewal and growth, mirroring her belief in the potential for human transformation.

Burnett's writing, while drawing from a diverse range of spiritual influences, often echoes Christian themes. Central to her work is the idea of redemption through love and human connection. Her characters, like Mary Lennox and Colin Craven, undergo profound transformations as they learn to love and be loved.

The power of kindness and community is another recurring theme. Burnett often depicts the transformative impact of acts of compassion and the importance of belonging to a supportive community.

Perhaps most significantly, the garden itself can be seen as a metaphor for the biblical Garden of Eden. It is a place of healing, rebirth, and spiritual renewal, where characters reconnect with nature and discover their true selves.

POLITICS She did not overtly engage in politics, though her work subtly critiques social class and gender inequalities.

SCANDAL Burnett faced criticism for her unconventional lifestyle, including her divorce and her independent spirit.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Frances Hodgson Burnett's life was marked by significant health challenges. Her mental health, in particular, was a recurring issue, with bouts of depression often overshadowing her successes. The loss of her beloved son, Lionel, in 1890, plunged her into a deep and enduring period of sorrow. Additionally, the stresses of her second marriage and the demands of her career exacerbated her mental health struggles, leading to a nervous breakdown.

To cope with her health challenges, Burnett sought solace in alternative healing philosophies. She was drawn to the ideas of Christian Science and New Thought, which emphasized the power of the mind to heal the body. Her interest in mind healing was a testament to her resilience and her determination to overcome adversity.

HOMES Burnett and her family migrated to New Market, Tennessee, in 1865, where they initially lived in a log cabin near Knoxville during their first winter. They later moved to a home in Knoxville that Burnett nicknamed "Noah's Ark, Mt. Ararat."

She settled in Washington, D.C., after marrying Dr. Swan Burnett, where they lived for several years.

Burnett spent two years living in Paris with her family during her literary success, blending European culture into her life.

In her later years, Burnett leased Maytham Hall, a historic manor in Rolvenden, Kent, England, after her divorce. The property’s gardens were an inspiration for The Secret Garden.

Great Maytham Hall by Stephen Nunney

She built a home called Fairseat in the Plandome Park section of Plandome Manor on Long Island outside New York City in 1908, using it as a sanctuary from public scrutiny and a summer retreat.

Burnett spent her winters in Bermuda in her later years, enjoying the milder climate and seclusion.

TRAVEL Frances traveled extensively between the United States and England, often finding inspiration in the places she visited. She crossed the Atlantic 33 times by steamship.

Her earnings from writing allowed her to travel extensively in Europe.

DEATH Frances Hodgson Burnett died peacefully at home on October 29, 1924, at the age of 74. She passed away in Plandome Manor, New York, where she had spent the final 17 years of her life. Burnett was buried in the Roslyn Cemetery on Long Island, New York. Her son Vivian was later buried next to her in the same cemetery after his death in 1937.

A notable feature of Burnett's gravesite is a statue of her son at the foot of her grave, depicting him as an older version of Little Lord Fauntleroy, paying tribute to her both as a writer and as a mother

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Frances Hodgson Burnett's work and legacy have been celebrated in numerous media adaptations and portrayals, ensuring her stories remain beloved by audiences worldwide. Here are some highlights of her media appearances:

1. Film and Television Adaptations

Little Lord Fauntleroy Adapted into several films, including a silent version in 1921 and a 1980 TV movie starring Ricky Schroder. The story’s portrayal of innocence and transformation captivated audiences.

A Little Princess This story has been adapted many times, most notably in the 1995 film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, which received critical acclaim for its visual beauty and emotional depth.

The Secret Garden The novel has been adapted into numerous films, including the 1949 version, a critically acclaimed 1993 movie, and a 2020 reimagining starring Colin Firth. The enduring appeal of the magical garden resonates with viewers across generations.

2. Stage Productions Many of Burnett's works, particularly A Little Princess and The Secret Garden, have been adapted into stage plays and musicals. The 1991 Broadway musical The Secret Garden won three Tony Awards and remains a favorite among theater enthusiasts.

3. Documentaries and Biographical Features Burnett has been the subject of documentaries that explore her life, such as her writing process, personal struggles, and the enduring impact of her novels. These often highlight her journey from financial hardship to literary success. 

Pop Culture References Her characters, particularly Little Lord Fauntleroy, have influenced fashion and cultural perceptions of childhood. The character’s style, with its velvet suits and lace collars, sparked trends in children’s clothing during the late 19th century.

ACHIEVEMENTS Frances Hodgson Burnett is celebrated for creating timeless literature that continues to enchant readers worldwide. She transformed the landscape of children’s literature by blending realism with fantasy and empathy.