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/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: 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.
