Francis Burnett: Biography and Creativity

There are not so many writers, loved by different generations. In their row stands the American storyteller Francis Burnett.

early years

Francis Eliza Hodgson was born on November 24, 1849 in Manchester (Great Britain). When she was only three years old, her father died suddenly. The girl's mother was with five children on the brink of ruin. In order to somehow improve her position, she took up her husband's affairs herself. And at first it was successful.

Francis grew up and began to study in a small private school, where she quickly found her friends and the main passion for her life - reading. Very soon the girl realized that she could not only read other people's stories, but also invent her own. At first, tales were told to friends who adored Francis for her imagination. And then the future writer began to fix her ideas in the notebook.

The most favorite place for walking young Frances was a shady garden. The girl played in it, read books and was inspired by nature. This garden was remembered for her whole life and was immortalized in novels.

The beginning of the writer's career

Despite the first successes, the business of the Hodgson family was getting worse. Then it was decided to use the last chance and go where everyone was given hope for a better life, to America. In this country, Frances had a brother who could help.

At that time, the United States was going through hard times: the country was destroyed during a long civil war. Because the Hodgson was so hard to find a job. And if the brothers could still hope for something, then there are no vacancies for the girls.

Francis decided to devote herself to what she always liked. She began to write and send her works to various magazines. For the first time it was published in the ladies' edition. Then came the period of failure. To increase her chances of being published, Francis took the male pseudonym.

Life changed and became more complicated after the mother died. At the age of 18, Francis had to take care of the family. Five years after the terrible event, the girl married Dr. Swann Burnett and took his name. In this marriage, Francis gave birth to two sons. Dr. Burnett was a literary agent of his wife and helped her do business. However, the marriage was not happy. It disintegrated in 1898.

Years of maturity

Two years later, Francis Burnett married again. But the second marriage lasted even less - two years. This partly happened because the writer began to live in two countries. In the US there was her house, but she was inexorably dragged to the UK, where childhood passed. Frances arranged meetings with her readers on both sides of the ocean, fueled by inspiration, walking through familiar places from childhood, and reflected the beauty of Britain in her novels.

A little later, Francis Burnett received US citizenship and has not left this country since. There she wrote her last works. One of the most striking was the novel "The Vanished Prince", published in 1915. While the whole world was suffering from the First World War, a ray of joy and hope was needed. It was they who became the novel for young and adult readers.

Francis Eliza Burnett died October 29, 1924 in New York and was buried next to her family.

«The mysterious garden»

The first parts of the novel "The Mysterious Garden" were published in 1910. And only a year later the fairy tale was published in full. Francis Burnett, whose best books were inspired by memories of England, showed in the novel a garden that was the favorite place for her childhood games.

The main heroine, Mary, was born and grew up in India, which at that time was a colony of Great Britain. She lost her parents very early and was therefore forced to go to England to her only relative. Only my uncle was not happy to see his niece. The unsociable man forgot about everything around, reveling in his grief: some time ago he lost his wife. Mary was very lonely. She did not know how to find friends. This she began to study in the company of her cousin Colin Craven, Martha's maid and her brother Deacon.

On the territory of the estate of Uncle Mary found a wonderful garden, which was abandoned long ago. Together with her friends, the girl started to work. But over time it turned out that not only the garden was transformed, but also the lives of all those who worked there.

"Little Lord Fauntleroy"

The prototype of the protagonist was Vivian, the youngest son of Francis Burnett. The author's books are devoted to children. "Little Lord Fauntleroy" was no exception.

Cedric lives with his mother. His father, an Englishman who immigrated to America, died when the boy was very small. Charming and independent Cedric easily found himself friends among adults, he communicates with the boot cleaner and grocer. It seems to the little boy that his life is perfect. But one day everything changes drastically.

A lawyer arrives from the UK, who insists that Cedric go with him. It turns out that the grandfather of the boy does not have heirs, and therefore he will have to prepare to enter into his rights. Cedric has to leave his loving mother and meet his stern grandfather. In addition, the boy will have to come to terms with the mores of conservative England. Or try to change them at least within your world.

Francis Burnett is rightly considered one of the best among writers of all time, who created for children. Her books are taught to be friends, to treat the surrounding world with love and care. Therefore, more and more generations of parents choose the fairy tales of Francis Burnett. The author's books are very popular for home reading with children.