Frances Hodgson Burnett crafted tales that resonated across continents and generations, fostering connections between diverse audiences. Her stories offered solace and joy, transcending barriers of class and age. With a career spanning numerous works, Burnett's legacy endures in the realm of children's literature, leaving an indelible mark on both the literary world and society at large.

Beginnings in England

Born into a relatively well-off family in Manchester during the Industrial Revolution, Frances Eliza Hodgson was the third of five children. Her father, Edwin, passed away in 1853, leaving her mother, Eliza, to manage the family hardware business. The economic downturn following the American Civil War forced them to relocate to a modest home in Salford. This area was a small oasis of "respectable" homes amidst a sea of poverty-stricken neighborhoods. Despite discouragement from engaging with local children or adopting the Lancashire dialect, Frances, with her keen ear, could mimic it perfectly.

Frances's vivid imagination and "wolfish appetite for books" emerged early in her life. By three, she was already captivated by stories, diving into her father's library, including Blackwood's Magazine, which also influenced the Brontë sisters. Her storytelling flourished at a private school, where she entertained classmates with her tales.

Relocation and Early Writing

Eliza Hodgson imbued Frances with the values of kindness and the importance of being "always the little lady." However, economic hardship, exacerbated by the cotton shortage, prompted the family to emigrate to New Market, Tennessee, in 1865, to join Eliza's brother. The anticipated prosperity was elusive due to postwar depression, yet Frances found inspiration in the lush Tennessee landscapes, calling them her “Dryad days.”

Driven by financial necessity, Frances penned her first story for a popular women's magazine. Her initial submissions to Gody’s Lady’s Book were successful, earning her thirty-five dollars and an invitation to contribute more. Thus began her writing career at the age of eighteen.

Career Flourishes

Frances's motivations were clear from the start: she wrote for financial gain, a focus that became crucial after her mother's death in 1870. Prolific in her output, she wrote several stories each month, mostly romantic narratives. In 1871, she introduced a realistic story in Lancashire dialect, "Surly Tim," which was published by Scribner’s Magazine, marking the start of her long association with Scribner's publishing house.

During this period, Frances was courted by Swan Burnett, whom she eventually married after a brief return to England. The couple settled in Knoxville, where their first son, Lionel, was born. A move to Paris facilitated Swan's medical studies and Frances's writing of her debut novel, That Lass o’ Lowrie’s, serialized in 1876 and published in 1877 to critical acclaim.

Financial Struggles and Societal Success

Back in the United States, Frances's writings sustained her family through financial difficulties. Her role as a socialite in Washington, D.C., introduced her to notable figures, including President James Garfield. Her novel That Lass o’ Lowrie’s and subsequent works such as Haworth’s (1879) solidified her reputation, though her marriage showed signs of strain, subtly reflected in her works like Through One Administration (1883).

Fame and Personal Loss

The publication of Little Lord Fauntleroy in 1886 catapulted Frances to international fame. The novel, inspired by her son Vivian, sold over a million copies and was adapted for the stage, though it sparked legal disputes over copyright. Critics who dismissed it as overly sentimental missed its depth, including political and psychological insights.

In her thirties, Frances embraced her newfound celebrity status. Known for her dynamic personality and striking appearance, she also began to travel extensively, leaving her children in the care of others. This period of...