Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables and numerous sequels. (Canadian Press)

On June 20, 1908, Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery received, in Cavendish, P.E.I., the first edition of her soon to be immensely popular novel Anne of Green Gables.

It started small: a few thousand copies of a first novel by an author from a small island on the northeast corner of the North American continent, released by a Boston publisher whose first inclination was to send a rejection letter.

In 100 years, Anne of Green Gables has grown into an industry. The book has been published in 33 languages; Montgomery wrote seven sequels, and a prequel was recently published with the consent of her heirs. There have been two movies for the big screen, six for television, and three television series (the first an anime version produced in Japan). The Charlottetown Festival's stage version is the longest running musical in Canadian history and is making a claim to be the world record holder in that category.

Anne has made Prince Edward Island famous around the world and is at the centre of a tourism industry crucial to the province's economy.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the book's publication, CBC Prince Edward Island once again turned the spotlight on Anne, and on some of the mysteries surrounding her creator. The resulting audio and video features can be accessed through the links in the right-hand column.