 Workman was born January 8, 1859, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to a wealthy and elite family descended from the Pilgrims; she was the youngest of three children.Her mother was Elvira Hazard, and her father was Alexander H. Bullock, businessman and Republican Massachusetts governor.Fanny was educated by governesses before attending Miss Graham's Finishing School in New York City, after which she spent time in Paris, and then Dresden.