- Collection Overview
- Collection Description & Creator Information
- Access & Use
- Collection History
- Find Related Materials
Expanded View
Collection Overview
- Creator:
- Burnett, Frances Hodgson, 1849-1924.
- Title:
- Vivian Burnett Collection of Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Repository:
- Manuscripts Division
- Permanent URL:
- http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/0r967380x
- Dates:
- 1844-2003 (mostly 1885-1937)
- Size:
- 22 boxes and 17.6 linear feet
- Storage Note:
- This is stored in multiple locations. Firestone Library (scamss): Boxes 1-17; 22 Firestone Library (scahsvm): Box 18-21
- Language:
- English
Abstract
Consists of material relating to the British-born, American author Frances Hodgson Burnett (FHB), collected by her younger son, Vivian Burnett (VB), including manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, and artwork.
Collection Description & Creator Information
- Description:
The collection consists of material relating to the British-born, American author Frances Hodgson Burnett, collected by her younger son, Vivian Burnett. Included are: (1) Approximately 400 autograph letters and 20 autograph postcards from Frances Hodgson Burnett to Vivian Burnett and other family members. There are also several hundred letters received by Burnett from Vivian Burnett and other family members and friends. The correspondence dates primarily from the 1880s until her death. (2) Frances Hodgson Burnett, Chapter 1 of Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886), 14 pages (final page lacking). The remainder of the original manuscript is in RBSC's Wilkinson Collection of Mary Mapes Dodge (229 pages). (3) Frances Hodgson Burnett, 3-page typescript (no corrections) of an essay on children's literature, along with three autograph manuscripts of poems (believed to be unpublished) and other miscellaneous fragments. (4) Guest book (bound volume) for Maytham Hall, her home in Kent, England, including a sketch by Henry James and several drawings by Poultney Bigelow. (5) Two original drawings by Reginald Birch for the first edition of Little Lord Fauntleroy ; and James Montgomery Flagg's signed drawing of Frances Hodgson Burnett (1921). (6) Approx. 30 original photographs of Frances Hodgson Burnett, her son Vivian dressed as "Little Lord Fauntleroy," and her residences in England (including the actual "Secret Garden") and the United States. (7) Two "Little Lord Fauntleroy" costumes (velvet, lace, and silk), which Burnett had made for her son Vivian and in which he posed for photography; and one dress of Frances Hodgson Burnett; and a box of additional lace. (8) Typescripts of plays, a scrapbook, and other materials relating to Burnett and her literary career.
- Collection Creator Biography:
Burnett, Frances Hodgson, 1849-1924.
Frances Hodgson Burnett was best known for her children's books Little Lord Fauntleroy (1886) and The Secret Garden (1911), but also published many novels for adults as well as plays adapted from her works. Here is an abbreviated biographical timeline of Frances Hodgson Burnett's life that includes the major residence addresses (marked "[stationery]" below) from which she wrote her letters that are in this collection:
Collection History
- Acquisition:
Purchased in 2009 , with funds provided by the Friends of the Princeton University Library and the Richard M. Ludwig Endowment, donated by by Michael Spence, Class of 1966.
Additions purchased from Maggs Bros. Ltd. in 2010, transferred from EX Behrman American No. 20 in 2010, and gift of Hennepin County Library in 2012.
- Custodial History
Acquired from Penelope Deupree and Robin Boone, co-heirs to these materials through their mother, Verity Burnett Chisholm (older daughter of Vivian Burnett).
- Appraisal
No appraisal information is available.
- Processing Information
This collection was processed by Sylvia Yu in March - April 2009. Finding aid written by Sylvia Yu in April 2009.
Access & Use
- Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research. For reasons of preservation, access to the clothing and original Fauntleroy costumes is restricted.
- Conditions Governing Use
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
- Credit this material:
Vivian Burnett Collection of Frances Hodgson Burnett; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library
- Permanent URL:
- http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/0r967380x
- Location:
-
Firestone LibraryOne Washington RoadPrinceton, NJ 08544, USA
- Storage Note:
- This is stored in multiple locations. Firestone Library (scamss): Boxes 1-17; 22 Firestone Library (scahsvm): Box 18-21
Find More
- Subject Terms:
- Children's literature, American.
Mothers and sons -- United States -- Correspondence
Women novelists, American -- Correspondence.
Women novelists, American -- Manuscripts. - Genre Terms:
- Correspondence.
Costumes (character dress).
Drawings.
Manuscripts.
Photographs. - Names:
- Burnett, Vivian, 1876-1937
