Frances Hodgson Burnett - Children's Author

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was born in Manchester, England, on November 24, 1849. Her mother moved to Knoxville, Tenessee in 1865. Miss Hodgson began writing for magazines soon after. Her first widely-known story appeared in "Scribner's Magazine" in 1872.

Frances married Dr. L. M. Burnett of Washington D.C. in 1873. In 1898 she divorced Dr. Burnett and married Mr. Stephen Townsend in 1900.

Her reputation as a novelist was made with her story of Lancashire life, That Lass o' Lowrie's. A number of other works followed, with Through One Administration and A Lady of Quality as the most notable.

In 1886 she published the Little Lord Fauntleroy, which was dramatized during her life and (now safely out of copyright) continues as videos and movies. Her children's books, including the marvelous Secret Garden and Sara Crew (later rewritten to become: A Little Princess) are what she is best known for today, but her romance novels were very popular during her lifetime.

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Featured Books, with extracts by Frances Hodgson Burnett

A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The riches to rags story of young Sara Crewe is one of the most poignant of the classics. Little Sara Crewe is only seven when her father leaves her at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies. She is serious,...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers | Children's Classics
Format: Hardback - Released: 06/09/2012
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A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The riches to rags story of young Sara Crewe is one of the most poignant of the classics. Little Sara Crewe is only seven when her father leaves her at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies. She is serious,...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Hardback - Released: 02/08/2012
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The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The classic story of how an unhappy little girl who belives that she is an invalide is transformed by the wonders of nature is a deeply touching one which provides hope and optimisim to readers. When misrerable Mary Lennox is...
Featured in: 9+ readers | Children's Classics | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/08/2012
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The Secret Garden (Illustrated by Robert Ingpen)
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Sally Nicholls, March 2012 Guest Editor: "I first came across The Secret Garden on story tape as a little girl. I think it's a near-perfect children's book – full of mystery and excitement, but grounded in a child's journey of...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers | Children's Classics
Format: Hardback - Released: 01/09/2010
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A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Beautifully written and at times heartbreakingly sad, this classic tells the story of how a little girl retains her courage, kindness and dignity when her circumstances are completely changed. Sara Crewe has a very rich daddy; she wants for nothing...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/08/2009
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The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
This absolute classic has entranced children the world over since its first publication in 1911.  In this remarkable new gift edition from Walker Books, Inga Moore’s beautifully observed illustrations capture the wonder of the garden coming alive again, bringing about...
Featured in: 7+ readers | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/04/2009
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The Secret Garden - Illustrated Edition
Frances Hodgson Burnett
This absolute classic has entranced children the world over since its first publication in 1911.  In this remarkable new hardback gift edition from Walker Books, Inga Moore’s beautifully observed illustrations capture the wonder of the garden coming alive again, bringing...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers | Children's Classics
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/04/2009
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The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
The classic story of how unhappy Mary Lennox is transformed by her friendship with Dickon, the garden boy and the wonders of nature that he reveals to her in the secret garden. Unabridged, this is nicely produced in a sturdy...
Featured in: 7+ readers | Children's Classics | eBooks
Format: Hardback - Released: 06/03/2008
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A Little Princess (with an Introduction by Adeline Yen Mah)
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Chosen by Jacqueline Wilson. Step into the shoes of Sara, a girl with a lively imagination who although well-mannered is absolutely no angel, as fate determines her fortune. Transformed from princess to pauper join Sara in her battle to assuage...
Featured in: 9+ readers | Children's Classics
Format: Paperback - Released: 28/02/2008
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The Secret Garden (with an Introduction by Sophie Dahl)
Frances Hodgson Burnett
This is a book that fires the imagination with its bewitching and magical qualities and one that every young girl will absolutely love.  There’s an Introduction by Sophie Dahl who at the age of nine (the same age as Mary,...
Featured in: 9+ readers | Children's Classics
Format: Paperback - Released: 28/02/2008
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