Frances Hodgson Burnett author photo

Frances Hodgson Burnett

Né(e): November 24, 1849 – Cheetham, Manchester, England

Frances Hodgson Burnett was an Anglo-American novelist and playwright best known for children’s classics exploring resilience, imagination, and class, including The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and Little Lord Fauntleroy. Her books became international bestsellers and have been translated widely, with enduring influence through frequent stage, film, and television adaptations.

Biographie et Parcours de l'Auteur

Frances Hodgson Burnett was born Frances Eliza Hodgson in Manchester, England, on November 24, 1849, and came of age under the pressure of family loss and financial insecurity. After her father’s death, the family’s circumstances declined, and in 1865 her mother moved the household to Tennessee. That migration proved decisive. In rural America, Burnett encountered hardship directly and began writing not as a hobby but as a practical means of support. She sold stories to magazines while still very young, helping to sustain her family and discovering, in the process, the blend of narrative pace, emotional clarity, and social observation that would define her career. Her early education was irregular, but she was a voracious reader, and much of her literary formation came through self-education, close observation, and disciplined work for periodical markets.

Afficher Plus

Citations

quote
Where you tend a rose, my lad, A thistle cannot grow
-The Secret Garden
quote
EVERYTHING'S a story. You are a story—I am a story. Miss Minchin is a story
-A Little Princess
quote
It's more—more agreeabler to be an earl than I thought it was
-Little Lord Fauntleroy
quote
You must lose nothing—forget nothing
-The Lost Prince
quote
I feel like a real princess, Uncle Tom
-Sara Crewe
quote
There are to-morrows enough for you!
-The Dawn of a To-morrow

Découvrir plus

Jane Addams and the Hull House Revolution
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Jane Addams and the Hull House Revolution

This plan explores the life of the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, illustrating how local grassroots efforts can spark global movements. It is ideal for aspiring social workers, political activists, and historians interested in the intersection of gender, urban reform, and international diplomacy.

1 h 30 m3 Sections
Classic literature
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Classic literature

Classic literature forms the foundation of modern storytelling and continues to offer unparalleled insights into human nature, society, and morality. This learning plan is ideal for readers who want to move beyond surface-level reading, building the analytical skills and cultural literacy to engage deeply with the world's most influential literary works across British, Russian, and modernist traditions.

4 h 16 m5 Sections
The Victorian Language of Flowers
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The Victorian Language of Flowers

This plan bridge historical symbolism with modern creative writing techniques, offering a unique framework for narrative construction. It is ideal for novelists, screenwriters, and designers looking to add layers of hidden meaning and organic structure to their storytelling.

1 h 30 m3 Sections
Read romance and fantasy
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Read romance and fantasy

This learning path serves readers seeking to explore two of the most popular and emotionally engaging literary genres, perfect for both newcomers wanting structured guidance and experienced readers looking to expand their horizons. By progressing from foundational works through hybrid and darker subgenres, learners gain both breadth and depth in understanding how romance and fantasy create powerful escapism, emotional resonance, and imaginative storytelling that has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

4 h 29 m4 Sections
Female authors
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Female authors

This learning plan provides essential knowledge for anyone seeking to understand the vital contributions of women to world literature and feminist thought. It's particularly valuable for students of literature, gender studies, and cultural history, as well as readers who want to broaden their literary perspectives beyond traditionally male-dominated canons. By exploring both historical pioneers and contemporary voices, learners gain insight into how women writers have shaped—and continue to shape—our cultural conversations about identity, equality, and human experience.

4 h 37 m4 Sections
The World of Three Pines
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

The World of Three Pines

This plan is essential for readers and literary enthusiasts who want to look beyond the mystery and understand the profound human themes of Louise Penny’s work. It is ideal for aspiring writers, book club members, or fans of the series seeking a deeper analysis of Armand Gamache’s character and the healing power of community.

1 h 30 m3 Sections
Oxford Greats: The 19th-Century Novel
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Oxford Greats: The 19th-Century Novel

This learning plan offers a deep dive into the socio-political forces that shaped the Victorian era's most enduring literary works. It is ideal for literature students, history buffs, and readers looking to understand the intersection of industrial trauma and identity politics.

1 h 30 m3 Sections
Jane Eyre: Rebel, Slave, Equal
PLAN D'APPRENTISSAGE

Jane Eyre: Rebel, Slave, Equal

This plan is essential for literature students and readers seeking a deep dive into Bronte’s feminist masterpiece. It provides a structured analysis of Jane’s evolution from a repressed orphan to a self-actualized woman in a marriage of equals.

1 h 12 m3 Sections

Voix de la Communauté

"Frances Hodgson Burnett was an American playwright and author who wrote the popular novel Little Lord Fauntleroy"

Britannica

"Frances Hodgson Burnett enjoyed parallel celebrity in her day, though not equal riches"

The Independent

"A.S. Byatt once referred to Frances Hodgson Burnett as "Perhaps the first truly transatlantic writer."

A.S. Byatt

"Yet for Frances Hodgson Burnett, the wild popularity of her prolific literary output made such a home her reality for nearly a decade"

The Paris Review

"When she began to write The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett was fifty-nine and nearing the end of a long and brilliant literary career"

The New Yorker

"Frances Hodgson Burnett, whose books are set in English gardens at tea time, was born in England but wrote most of her books in Washington"

The Washington Post

FAQ sur cette page

Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale d'esprits curieux

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1,5 k notes4.7
Commencez votre parcours d'apprentissage, maintenant