Little Lord Fauntleroy is a children’s novel written in the sentimental style by Frances Hodgson Burnett, published serially from 1885-1886 and as a novel in 1886. Seven-year-old protagonist Cedric Errol lives with his mother in modest circumstances in New York after the death of his father. After he learns he’s heir to his grandfather’s earldom in England, he and his mother move there so that he can be trained to be Lord Fauntleroy. Cedric, with his innocent, kind nature, shows his grandfather the meaning of true nobility, transforming the selfish, cynical Earl into a generous and loving man. This rags-to-riches story–whose lesson is that true nobility lies in simplicity, generosity, and kindness–was incredibly popular when it was released and sold over half a million copies. Little Lord Fauntleroy spawned legions of fans, Fauntleroy merchandise, and a generation of fashion trends. It established Burnett as a writer to watch and led to a landmark case in copyright law when she won the dramatic rights to Fauntleroy in England. This guide refers to the 1912 Scribner edition with the famous illustrations by Reginald B. Birch, of which a free digital scan is available through Google’s Library Project.

Plot Summary

Cedric, raised in a loving household by his parents, is an extraordinarily kind and empathetic boy. He befriends anyone and everyone, including a grumpy grocer, Mr. Hobbs, and a savvy young shoeshine named Dick. After Cedric’s father Cedric Errol, Sr.–who was estranged from his aristocratic English family–dies unexpectedly, a lawyer visits Cedric and his mother. The lawyer, Mr. Havisham, informs them that Cedric has become heir to his grandfather, Lord Dorincourt’s earldom in England following the accidental deaths of his uncles. Before leaving for England, Cedric uses his newfound wealth to help his friends, buying Dick a shoe-shining business, Mr. Hobbs a gold watch, and an acquaintance medical care for her husband.

After saying goodbye to his friends, Cedric and his mother travel to England via steamship. Onboard, Cedric charms both passengers and crew with his confident, innocent manner and innocent blunders of speech. He learns that he’ll live with his grandfather, apart from his mother, but she withholds the reason for their separation: Dorincourt despises her because he thinks she married his son for money. She retains this information because she knows it will hurt both Cedric and Dorincourt.

At Court Lodge in England, where Mrs. Errol will stay, she and Cedric are greeted by a regal cat, a gift from the housekeeper at Dorincourt castle who loved Cedric Errol, Sr. Throughout Cedric’s time at Dorincourt Estate, the admiration his late father inspired and comments about similarities between the two are continually mentioned.

Cedric and his grandfather, Lord Dorincourt, meet for the first time in the vast Dorincourt Estate. Cedric is good-natured, innocent, and happy, whereas his grandfather is miserable, lonely, and ill-willed. Cedric’s handsome looks and fearless demeanor charm the surly Earl. At first, Dorincourt is simply glad to finally have an heir he can show off. But Cedric, who believes that Dorincourt is the epitome of generosity and kindness, starts to change his grandfather into the mistaken image he has of him. Dorincourt, who starts craving Cedric’s admiration, agrees to each of Cedric’s charitable suggestions. These charitable jaunts don’t fool the servants or the tenantry of the estate, who have experienced a lifetime of the Earl’s cruelty, but they make Cedric, who’s known as Fauntleroy, incredibly popular.

As Fauntleroy and Dorincourt grow closer, the Earl’s begins to realize his selfish pleasure over everything has poisoned his life, leaving him miserable, jaded, and lonely in old age. Fauntleroy, by showing Dorincourt that it’s possible for life to be happy and meaningful, leads his grandfather to question his way of life.

The third person narration shifts focus from Dorincourt Estate back to New York, where Mr. Hobbs is bereft in Cedric’s absence. He befriends Dick after he realizes they both knew Cedric and the two bond over their shared admiration of the young boy. They’re angered when Cedric writes, informing them that he’s not the real Lord Fauntleroy–there’s been another claim. A woman has written, saying that she’s the estranged wife of the Earl’s eldest son and claims her son is the rightful heir. Dick and Mr. Hobbs jump into action after Dick discovers that the woman, Minna, is actually the estranged wife of his brother and that her claim is fraudulent. Dick and Mr. Hobbs contract a lawyer and write Dorincourt. The Earl himself, in the meantime, has declared his intention to fight the claim tooth and nail. The claim makes him realize the error of his ways–Minna is the type of woman he thought Mrs. Errol was, but in fact isn’t.

Dick, his brother, and Mr. Hobbs travel to England to provide evidence against Minna, who flees upon being discovered. Dorincourt asks Mrs. Errol’s forgiveness for alienating her, and she agrees to live in the castle with him and Cedric. Dorincourt funds Dick’s entire education in England and Mr. Hobbs stays in England and opens a store, having become enamored of the aristocracy. The novel ends with Cedric excited to do all the good he can when he becomes earl and with Dorincourt having become happy by learning to be loving and generous.