Anne Shirley is a fictional character introduced first in the 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Montgomery wrote in her journal that the idea for Anne's story came from relatives who, planning to adopt an orphaned boy, received a girl instead. Anne Shirley's appearance was inspired by a magazine photograph which Montgomery cut out and kept, unaware of the model's identity as the notorious 1900s beauty Evelyn Nesbit.

When first introduced, Anne Shirley is a talkative 11-year-old orphan with red hair. She is hardworking and intelligent, with a cheerful outlook and a vivid imagination, but dislikes her hair color and hates being teased about it. Eventually, she becomes reconciled to her hair as "auburn", but most of her other traits remain constant throughout her life.

Anne was born in Nova Scotia (c. 1865) and spent the earliest years of her childhood there. She was orphaned as an infant when her parents, Walter and Bertha Shirley (née Willis), died of typhoid fever.

Without any other relations, Anne was taken in by Mrs. Thomas, who had done housework for the Shirleys. After Mr.

Thomas died, Anne went to live with the Hammond family for some years before being sent to the orphanage at Hopetown.

Similar to 0 things you like: