| Who
was Fanney Burney? Novelist.

Date and Place of
Birth: 13th June 1752, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England.
Family Background:
Third of six children of musical scholar and organist Charles
Burney.

St Margaret's Church, Kings Lynn where Burney's father
was organist.
(© A Blagg)
Education:
Self educated by reading English and French literature..
Chronology:
1762: She started
writing short stories, poems and plays.
1767: In a fit
she burnt all her papers as she thought her writings were a waste
of time.
1778: Her first
novel "Evelina" was published anonymously from a plot
she had established as a child. Her father soon recognised her
talent and boasted of this to Mrs Hester Piozzi a friend of Samuel
Johnson and both championed he work.This
was probably her best work and later novels declined in style.
1782: Published
"Cecilia".
1786: Appinted
Second Keeper of the Robes to Queen Charlotte but as her health
declined she retired on a pension.
Written Works:
- 1778: “Evelina,
Or the History of a Young Lady's Entry into the World”.
- 1782: “Cecilia”.
- 1796: “Camilla”.
- 1814: “The
Wanderer”.
- 1832: “Memoirs
of Doctor Burney”.
Marriage:
28th July 1793 to General Alexandre d’Arblay at St. Michael’s
Church, Mickleham.
Places of Interest:
AVON:
Lived at 14 South Parade, Bath.
DEVON:
Stayed at Saltram House. (National Trust)
LONDON:
The British Library
NOROLK
Kings Lynn, Burney's birthplace, where a few
buildings of the period remain such as the Customs house, St Margaret's
Church and the Tuesday and Saturday Markets.

Kings Lynn Customs House which would have been known to
Burney. Maritime wealth gave the town prosperity at the time and
was the major reason her family settled there. The statue is of
the naval officer and explorer Captain George Vancouver who gave
his name to a certain Canadian city.
(© A Blagg)
Date and Place of
Death: 6th January 1840, 11 Bolton Street, London.
Age at Death:
87.
Site of Grave:
Walcot Cemetery, Bath, Avon, England next to husband. |