Portrait of Frances Burney

Frances Burney books in order

English satirical novelist, diarist, playwright

Lived
1752–1840
Country
United Kingdom
Books
8

Frances Burney published 7 novels and 1 non-fiction book, beginning with Evelina (1778).

Updated September 2026

Where to start with Frances Burney

Standalone novels in order

  1. Evelina (1778)

    427 pages

  2. Cecilia (Jul 1782)

    320 pages

  3. Camilla (1796)

    956 pages

  4. The Wanderer (Mar 1814)

    957 pages

  5. The Early Diary of Frances Burney, 1768-1778 (1889)

Non-fiction in order

  1. The Diary and Letters of Frances Burney, Madame D'Arblay (1880)

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About Frances Burney

Frances Burney, also known as Fanny Burney and later Madame d'Arblay, was an English novelist, diarist and playwright. In 1786–1790 she held the post of "Keeper of the Robes" to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, George III's queen. In 1793, aged 41, she married a French exile, General Alexandre d'Arblay. After a long writing career that gained her a reputation as one of England's foremost literary authors, and after wartime travels that stranded her in France for over a decade, she settled in Bath, England, where she died on 6 January 1840. The first of her four novels, Evelina (1778), was the most successful and remains her most highly regarded, followed by Cecilia (1782). She also wrote a number of plays. She wrote a memoir of her father (1832), and is perhaps best remembered as the author of letters and journals that have been gradually published since 1842, whose influence has overshadowed the reputation of her fiction, establishing her posthumously as a diarist more than as a novelist or playwright.

Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Frances Burney FAQ

How many books has Frances Burney written?
Frances Burney published 7 novels and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.
What order should I read Frances Burney's books in?
Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Evelina.
What is Frances Burney's last book?
The Diary And Letters of Madame D'arblay (1842).
What is Frances Burney's most famous book?
Evelina (1778) is Frances Burney's most widely read book.
Can I read Frances Burney's books for free?
Yes. 12 books by Frances Burney are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.

Authors like Frances Burney

Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.