Frances Courtenay Baylor

Frances Courtenay Baylor Barnum (January 20, 1848, Fort Smith, Arkansas – October 19, 1920, Winchester, Virginia) was an American author of fiction.

Her father, James Dawson, was an army officer. The family moved frequently during Frances's childhood. While a teen her parents divorced and Frances began using her mother's maiden name, Baylor.

In 1885 she published her first novel On Both Sides. The book was well received as an "international novel" as it told of life in America and England. Baylor had previously lived in England with her mother and sister's family.

In 1896 Frances married George Barnum, who died shortly after they were wed. After his death she moved to Winchester, Virginia, where she spent the remainder of her life.