Little Lord Fauntleroy

Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1886)

A poor American boy discovers he is heir to an English earldom. His innocent goodness transforms his crusty grandfather and everyone he meets. The novel that made Burnett famous and launched a fashion craze.

Historical Significance:
Serialized in St. Nicholas Magazine in 1885-86, Little Lord Fauntleroy was the bestselling children's novel of the decade and one of the bestselling books of the entire 19th century. It sparked the "Fauntleroy suit" fashion craze — velvet suits with lace collars that mothers forced on reluctant boys for a generation. The novel made Burnett wealthy and internationally famous. It was adapted into a hit play and three films. While its sentimentality fell out of fashion in the 20th century, it remains a fascinating artifact of Victorian idealism and the belief that a child's innocence could redeem the world.

This public domain classic was originally published in 1886. Free to read and share.