Frances Hodgson Burnett, (1849 - 1924) was an EnglishAmerican playwright and author. She is best known for her children's stories, The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and Little Lord Fauntleroy. After her fathers death in 1854 her family lived in poverty in the Victorian slums of Manchester. After moving to Tennessee her mother died in 1867, which made Frances the sole support of the younger children. It was at this point that she began to write. The Little Hunchback Zia was published in 1916. Zia was a small boy who was forced to daily beg. He had been taught that he was evil and his hunchback was the proof. Zia began to realize that he was not revolting and he became happier. He shared his alms with the old woman and she beat him less often. Zia met a woman in a blue robe and his life was changed forever.