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Francesca Alexander

By Jone Johnson Lewis, About.com

Dates: February 27, 1837 - January 21, 1917

Known for: collecting Tuscan folk songs

Occupation: folklorist, illustrator, author, philanthropist

Also known as: Fanny Alexander, Esther Frances Alexander (birth name)

About Francesca Alexander:

Born in Massachusetts, Francesca Alexander moved with her family to Europe when Francesca was sixteen years old. She was educated privately, and her mother exercised considerable control over her life.

After the family settled in Florence, Francesca was generous to neighbors, and they in turn shared with her folk stories and folk songs. She collected these, and when John Ruskin discovered her collecting, he helped her begin publishing her work.

Places: Boston, Massachusetts, United States; Florence, Italy, Tuscany

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