Frances Hodgson Burnett was an Anglo-American author and playwright. She was born in Manchester, England. Unlike Jackson she grew up in poverty. After her father's death her mother emigrated in 1865 with the family to Knoxville, Tennessee, seeking a better life for all of them. Their life was better in America. However, tragedy was to strike again when her mother died in 1867. Burnett was left at eighteen as the sole support of her two younger siblings. In order to support them she turned to writing.
Like Jackson she suffered the loss of both parents at an early age and also the death of her son. Two of her most famous works are the children's classics A Little Princess and The Secret Garden. These two books are still enjoyed to this day and there have been several movies made of them.
Another extremely popular book authored by Burnett is Little Lord Fauntleroy. Such was the popularity that it sold half a million copies. This book did not have the lasting appeal of the two previously mentioned books though. As in more contemporary best sellers like the Twilight series, it makes one wonder if they will having lasting appeal either.
Whether or not Helen was personally acquainted with Burnett is not a certainty. Though she did consider Burnett a genius, according to a letter she wrote her sister (Phillips, p 112, 2003).
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