Biography of Fanney Burney

Fanney Burney was an eighteenth century novelist.

When and Where was she Born?

13th June 1752, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England.

Family Background:

Fanney Burney was the third of six children of musical scholar and organist Charles Burney.

Education:

Self educated by reading English and French literature.

Timeline of Fanney Burney:

1762: Burney starts writing short stories, poems and plays.

1767: In a fit she burns 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: Fanney Burney publishes “Cecilia” for the first time.

1786: She is appointed Second Keeper of the Robes to Queen Charlotte (wife of King George the Third) but as her health declined she retires on a pension.

1793: She marries General Alexandre d’Arblay at St. Michael’s Church, Mickleham on 28th July.

When and Where did she Die?

6th January 1840, 11 Bolton Street, London.

Age at Death:

87.

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.

Site of Grave:

Walcot Cemetery, Bath, Avon, England next to husband.

Places of Interest:

AVON:

Lived at 14 South Parade, Bath.

DEVON:

Stayed at Saltram House. (National Trust).

LONDON:

The British Library.

NORFOLK:

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.