Fanny Burney (1752-1840)

Fanny Burney, Assistant Keeper of the Robes to Queen Charlotte, was one of the first women to write a novel from a feminine point of view.

Her first book “Evelina”, subtitled, “The History Of A Young Lady’s Entrance Into The World”, was published anonymously in 1778.

Written as a series of letters, it was praised by eminent men of letters, including Dr Johnson and Sir Joshua Reynolds.

She wrote three further novels, all published to high acclaim and general popularity.

Jane Austen grew up reading these tangled society love stories and used Fanny’s books as examples in a defence of the value of novels, but her own work subsequently eclipsed them.