Biography of Frances Hodgson Burnett

24 November 1849
October 29, 1924
The English writer Frances Hodgson Burnett was born in England in Cheetham Hill (Manchester) on 24 November 1849. Median of five children of Edwin Hodgson and Eliza Boond. When the father dies, in 1865, the family economic situation becomes dramatic and soon forced the family to emigrate to the countryside of Tennessee, in Knoxville (United States) at a mother's brother. Here too the situation does not improve, because of the civil war. Author of poetry (the first written in seven years) and stories, Frances Hodgson Burnett tries to sell his works to publishers. At eighteen publishes first lyrics ("Hearts and Diamonds" and "Miss Caruther's Engagement") in Godey's Lady's Book. Writes five or six stories per month for $ 10 in history, and this gives support to the family, now an orphan even mother's day.

Marriage and the first novel

In 1873 he married Dr. Swan Burnett, who knows from the age of fifteen, during a trip to Britain and her first son, Lionel, in 1874. Publishes his first novel That Lass o' Lowrie's ", but does not perceive rights because u.s. copyright law at that moment is not recognized in Britain. He returned to the United States in 1887 and settled with her husband and children in Washington. While publishes novels Haworth's (1879), Louisiana (1880) and "A Fair Barbarian (1881), always encountering obstacles for the copyright on British editions, Frances h. Burnett also writes plays, and in 1881 is represented" Esmeralda ", written with William Gillette.

Little Lord Fauntleroy and the literary success

In 1883 he prints "Through One Administration". Two years later he published his first masterpiece, the novel "Little Lord Fauntleroy" ("little Lord Fauntleroy"); the story appeared in serial form in the St. Nicholas Magazine and soon after in the book, an international success. In 1887 visit to London with his sons and a friend, on the occasion of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria, then works in France and in Italy. Publish the novel "Sara Crewe", which later will modify reissuing it in 1905 with the new title "A Little Princess" ("a little Princess"), his second masterpiece. In London, meanwhile, the playwright E.V. Seebohm presents "Little Lord Fauntleroy" without the permission of Frances Hodgson Burnett. Once again the author defends his rights, and finally the judges recognize the literary property as valid even on the theatrical adaptation, creating an important precedent in the history of copyright. In 1889 agrees with her son Vivian for the universal exposition in Paris. A year later he died of illness on his eldest son. The writer publishes then "John and the Other", "The White People" and "In the Closed Room. In 1892 he returned to Washington and writes "The One I Knew Best of All", about his life at eighteen, and in 1896 he staged his best play, The Lady of Quality ".

The last years

Although refusing interviews, his notoriety makes it the object of attention of the press, which speaks a lot about her, her family and her friends. Her marriage to Dr. Burnett culminating in divorce in 1898. Remarried two years later with Stephen Townsend, doctor and actor, working in the administration of his affairs, but also the new double experience ends, in 1902. In 1905 gets u.s. citizenship. In 1909-1911 released his third masterpiece, "The Secret Garden" ("the secret garden"). Public opinion is hostile to his private life, but this does not prevent his works levy continued success in the world. "Little Lord Fauntleroy" has a first film version in 1914, but in 1921 comes out in theaters movie directed by Alfred Greene with actress Mary Pickford in the title role, and in this version will be exported worldwide. Subsequently, the novel will be the subject of other versions for both the cinema both for television (remember the 1980 with Alec Guinness).
Article contributed by the team of collaborators.