frances burney (13 june 1752 – 6 january 1840) was an english novelist, diarist and playwright. she was also known as fanny burney. after her marriage, she was known as madame d’arblay. she was born in king's lynn, england. she was born to musician dr charles burney (1726 – 1814) and mrs esther sleepe burney (1725 – 62). she mostly taught herself. she began writing what she called her "scribblings" when she was ten. her first novel, "evelina", was published in 1778. this novel made her very famous. "cecilia" came out in 1782. it was an even greater critical success. her major novels, "evelina", "cecilia", and "camilla" are about a young girl. the girls are clever and beautiful, but does not have a lot of experience. the girl goes out into the world and grows in character. her books were liked by jane austen. in 1786, she became second keeper of the robes to queen charlotte. she wrote many journals and letters. her journals and letters have interested historians. in 1793, she married a french exile, general alexandre d'arblay. they had a son in 1794. his name was alexander. he was their only son. while living in france from 1802 to 1812, burney wrote "the wanderer". it was a novel about the french revolution. it was published in 1814. her last published work was the "memoirs of doctor burney" (1832). she died in london in 6 january 1840. she was buried in bath near her husband and son.