Madame D'Arblay, Frances Burney, an English novelist, daughter of Charles Burney, born at Lynn in June, 1752, died Jan. 0, 1840. In her childhood she was silent and timid, and was considered uncomnonly dull. In 1760 her father removed to London, and was much sought as a music teacher. After her mother's early death Frances was left to educate herself. Dr. Johnson was her father's friend, and Garrick his frequent guest, and the brilliant social circle in which he moved afforded rich material for genius to work upon. Miss Burney soon gave evidence that she rightly appreciated her privileges. In 1778 her novel "Evelina" was published, under an assumed name, by a Mr. Lowndes, who gave her £20 for the copyright. Though the author of the book was unknown, and the publisher was not eminent, its success was marvellous, and Miss Burney was at once classed among the first writers of fiction. "Evelina" was followed by a comedy, "The Witlings," which was never acted, nor even printed, and in 1782 appeared the novel of "Cecilia," which was successful. Three years after this she was appointed keeper of the queen's robes. After five years' service she resigned this post on account of her failing health, and in 1793 married Alexandre Richard d'Arblay, a French artillery officer, whom the revolution had made an exile.

In 1796 "'Camilla" was published in five volumes, bringing the author a handsome sum of money, but no increase of fame. Ten years, 1802-'12, she passed in Paris, her husband having given in his allegiance to Napoleon's government. At the expiration of this term she returned alone to England and produced another novel in five volumes, "The Wanderer," which had little popularity, and is now almost forgotten. At the peace her husband, now (Jen. d'Arblay, joined her, and remained with her till his death, at Bath, in 1818. In 1832 Madame d'Arblay published the memoirs of her father, written in a turgid style, entirely at variance with her earlier diction. This was the closing work of her long life, which ended when she was 87 years old. The literary fame of Madame d'Arblay rests upon "Evelina" and "Cecilia," her earliest works.