Frances Burney (1752-1840), better known as Fanny Burney, was an English dramatist and writer. She contributed significantly to the growth of the book as a genre and was one of the most well-known female authors of her day. Burney was born into a low-income household in King's Lynn, Norfolk, England. Charles Burney, her father, was a well-known expert in music history. Burney released "Evelina," her first book, under an assumed name in 1778, to tremendous public and critical acclaim. Burney published many additional books after "Evelina," including "Cecilia" (1782) and "Camilla" (1796). Strong female heroes who struggled with moral decisions and cultural expectations were a common theme in Burney's books. Burney created plays, diaries, and letters in addition to novels. Burney struggled with both emotional and financial issues throughout her life, despite her literary achievement. She had a son via her marriage to General Alexandre D'Arblay, a French immigrant. The death of her spouse, as well as other hardships with money and health, characterized Burney's latter years. The contributions Fanny Burney made to English literature and her status as a pioneering female author have been acknowledged and honored.
