First Students' Classics

Frances Hodgson Burnett was born in Manchester in 1849. Some years after her father’s death, her family moved to the United States and settled near Knoxville, Tennesee.

In order to support her family financially, Burnett turned to writing. Her first story was published in 1868. She soon developed a talent in combining realistic detail of class life with a romantic plot, in her stories.

In 1886, she published Little Lord Fauntleroy, a children’s book, which was written at the suggestion of her son, Vivian. This book had a very interesting impact on the mothers of those days. They were so fascinated, that they began dressing their sons in velvet suits with lace collars, like the main character of this book!

Her later books included A Little Princess, and The Secret Garden, published in 1909, for which she is probably best known for today.

The Secret Garden is about the healing power of love and the miracle of rebirth.

Burnett had been interested in gardens and nature since she was a child. It was while devising a layout for her garden that she wrote The Secret Garden.

Over the course of her life, Burnett wrote more than forty books for adults and children. Her children’s books have best stood the test of time and remain immensely popular till today.