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.
Chronology/Biography of Fanney Burney:
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: Fanney Burney published “Cecilia”.
1786: Appointed 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.
When and Where did she Die?
6th January 1840, 11 Bolton Street, London.
Age at Death:
87.
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
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.
