Little Lord Fauntleroy
'Little Lord Fauntleroy' Summary
In a shabby New York City side street in the mid-1880s, young Cedric Errol lives with his mother (known to him as "Dearest") in genteel poverty after the death of his father, Captain Cedric Errol. One day, they are visited by an English lawyer named Havisham with a message from young Cedric's grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, an unruly millionaire who despises the United States and was very disappointed when his youngest son married an American woman. With the deaths of his father's elder brothers, Cedric has now inherited the title Lord Fauntleroy and is the heir to the earldom and a vast estate. Cedric's grandfather wants him to live in England and be educated as an English aristocrat. He offers his son's widow a house and guaranteed income, but he refuses to have anything to do with her, even after she declines his money.
However, the Earl is impressed by the appearance and intelligence of his American grandson and is charmed by his innocent nature. Cedric believes his grandfather to be an honorable man and benefactor, and the Earl cannot disappoint him. The Earl therefore becomes a benefactor to his tenants, to their delight, though he takes care to let them know that their benefactor is the child, Lord Fauntleroy.
Meanwhile, back in New York, a homeless bootblack named Dick Tipton tells Cedric's old friend Mr. Hobbs, a New York City grocer, that a few years prior, after the death of his parents, Dick's older brother Benjamin married an awful woman who got rid of their only child together after he was born and then left. Benjamin moved to California to open a cattle ranch while Dick ended up in the streets. At the same time, a neglected pretender to Cedric's inheritance appears in England, the pretender's mother claiming that he is the offspring of the Earl's eldest son, Bevis. The claim is investigated by Dick and Benjamin, who come to England and recognize the woman as Benjamin's former wife. She flees, and the Tipton brothers and the pretender, Benjamin's son, do not see her again. Afterward, Benjamin goes back to his cattle ranch in California where he happily raises his son by himself. The Earl is reconciled to his American daughter-in-law, realizing that she is far superior to the impostor.
The Earl planned to teach his grandson how to be an aristocrat. Instead, Cedric teaches his grandfather that an aristocrat should practice compassion towards those dependent on him. The Earl becomes the man Cedric always innocently believed him to be. Cedric is happily reunited with his mother, and Mr. Hobbs, who decides to stay to help look after Cedric.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1886Authors
Frances Hodgson Burnett
England, United States
Frances Eliza Hodgson was born in Cheetham, Manchester, England. After her father died in 1853, when Frances was 3 years old, the family fell on straitened circumstances and in 1865 emigrated to the U...
Books by Frances Hodgson BurnettDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
Related books
Dog Crusoe and His Master by R. M. Ballantyne
This is a story of an adventure involving a young man, his dog, and two friends. Together they wander through the Western prairies on a mission to mak...
Dorothy Dale's Camping Days by Margaret Penrose
So the parties separated and then Dorothy was free to leave her hiding place. She longed to tell her friends the strange story, but she knew that the...
Brenda, Her School and Her Club by Helen Leah Reed
Brenda, a beautiful and pampered girl, enjoys a life of privilege and is accustomed to getting her way. Her comfortable world is disrupted when her co...
Uncle Of An Angel by Thomas A. Janvier
This book, written by Thomas A. Janvier, presents a light-hearted exploration of societal norms and familial dynamics in the 19th century. Through wit...
That Office Boy by Francis J. Finn, S.J.
That Office Boy is a wholesome and engaging story about Michael Desmond, an office boy who gets involved in a piano contest. The story follows Michael...
The Shagganappi by E. Pauline Johnson
It is an engaging and heartwarming novel perfect for all readers. This captivating book takes readers on a remarkable journey through friendship, resi...
Camp Fire Girls Across the Seas by Margaret Vandercook
This book follows a group of Camp Fire Girls as they navigate new experiences and challenges in different countries. The story explores themes of pers...
Fame and Fortune by Horatio Alger, Jr.
Richard Hunter, formerly Ragged Dick, continues to advance in the world through luck and excellent morals. He, along with his friend Henry, moves into...
Rover Boys In The Mountains by Arthur M. Winfield
The Rover Boys, Tom, Sam, and Dick, find themselves embroiled in another thrilling adventure in the rugged mountains. Their old nemesis, the cunning a...
Adventures of Chatterer the Red Squirrel by Thornton W. Burgess
Chatterer the Red Squirrel, a mischievous and curious creature, finds himself forced to leave his beloved home. His journey leads him to an unexpecte...
Reviews for Little Lord Fauntleroy
No reviews posted or approved, yet...