John Halifax, Gentleman

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.

Plot summary

The plot revolves around 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?.

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.

References

External links

• John Halifax, Gentleman at A Celebration of Women Writers

• John Halifax, Gentleman at Project Gutenberg
• John Halifax, Gentleman public domain audiobook at LibriVox
• John Halifax, Gentleman at IMDb

1. John Halifax, Gentleman (TV series)
2. John Halifax
3. Lisa Vanderpump
4. John Halifax, Gentleman (1910 film)
5. John Halifax, Gentleman (1915 film)
6. Dinah Craik
7. A Gentleman in Moscow (TV series)
8. Muriel (given name)
9. Halifax (name)
10. Gwen Taylor
11. John Halifax (film)
12. Phineas Fletcher
13. Tewkesbury
14. Gloucestershire
15. Barbara Kellerman
16. Warwick Goble
17. Christopher Ravenscroft
18. Daphne Heard
19. Chloe Franks
20. Queenie Smith