John Halifax, Gentleman

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John Halifax, Gentleman
First editions
AuthorDinah Craik
CountryGreat Britain
LanguageEnglish
PublisherHurst and Blackett
Publication date
1856
Media typePrint

John Halifax, Gentleman is a novel by Dinah Craik, first published in 1856.

The novel was adapted for BBC Radio 4 in 1970 and on television on BBC in 1974.[1]

Plot summary[edit]

The action is centred on the town of Tewkesbury, scarcely disguised by the fictional name Norton Bury, in Gloucestershire. The story is narrated by Phineas, a friend of the central character. John Halifax is an orphan, determined to make his way in the world through honest hard work. He is taken in by a tanner, Abel Fletcher, who is a Quaker, and thus meets Phineas, who is Abel's son. John eventually achieves success in business and love, and becomes a wealthy man.

A photographic postcard, probably from the early 20th century, depicts Dunkirk Mills, Inchbrook, near Nailsworth and Stroud, Gloucestershire, stating it was the "original Mills of 'John Halifax Gentleman'".

A discussion on a Stroud Fakebook [sic] page suggests that Enderley and the cottage were modelled on an area near Avening.

Editions[edit]

An illustrated edition was published by J. M. Dent & Co. in 1898, with twelve colour plates by three artists: W. C. (Cubitt) Cooke. L. M. (Laura) Fisher and F. C. (Frederick Colin) Tilney.

Adaptations[edit]

The novel has been adapted several times. A 1915 silent film John Halifax, Gentleman was directed by George Pearson. In 1938 a film version John Halifax was made. In 1974 a BBC series John Halifax, Gentleman was made.

In popular culture[edit]

The book is mentioned in Agatha Christie's 1935 novel Why Didn't They Ask Evans?.[2]

The book is mentioned in the first Elinor M Brent-Dyer’s Chalet School series, “The School at the Chalet”, as being read three times consecutively by central character, Jo Bettany. [3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Results 1 to 20 of 37 for John Halifax, Gentleman Retrieved 30/12/2021 starring Robert Coleby.
  2. ^ Chapter 7.
  3. ^ Chapter 11.

External links[edit]