Burney, Fanny (1752-1840), was an English author. She became famous during her lifetime as a successful novelist. Today, Burney is best known for her first novel, Evelina, and for her diary.
Evelina, or a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World, was published in 1778. It tells about a virtuous and intelligent, but inexperienced, country girl in London society. Evelina received high praise. As a result, Burney became acquainted with the great writer Samuel Johnson and with Sir Joshua Reynolds and other members of Johnson’s literary circle. She later wrote Cecilia, or Memoirs of an Heiress (1782), which deals with a young woman’s financial and marital problems.
Burney began a diary in 1768 and continued it for more than 70 years. Published after her death, it vividly describes English social life during her lifetime. It also provides valuable information about the many famous people whom Burney knew. Frances Burney was born on June 13, 1752, in King’s Lynn, England. She died on Jan. 6, 1840.
