1856 novel
John Halifax, Gentleman  First editions |
| Author | Dinah Craik |
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| Country | Great Britain |
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| Language | English |
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| Publisher | Hurst and Blackett |
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Publication date | 1856 |
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| Media type | Print |
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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
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
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
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
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]
