The Anthony Trollope Library

In which Dr Thorne is drawn into the intricate concerns of the Greshamsbury family, confronting the delicate interplay of financial necessity, social ambition, and youthful attachments that complicate the prospects of the squire’s heir. Meanwhile, Lady Arabella, guided more by prudence than affection, seeks to sever young Mary Thorne’s ties to the family, leading the doctor to wrestle privately wi...

In which Dr Thorne, with all the complications of duty and delicacy, reveals to Sir Roger Scatcherd the surprising truth about his sister's child, a revelation that unsettles the baronet’s plans for his inheritance and stirs hopes and doubts alike. Amidst talks of loans and legacies, the doctor wrestles with loyalty and protection, striving to guard the young lady’s future while confronting the ro...

In which the melancholy stillness of Courcy Castle and its town, diminished by the advance of railways and changing times, is observed with a keen eye, revealing the quiet decay of once vigorous bustle and a certain dullness that envelops the place. Meanwhile, amidst the comings and goings of political agents and family guests, young Frank Gresham struggles to find companionship and amusement, par...

In which the arrival of a rival physician at Boxall Hill stirs feelings of resentment, wounded pride, and unspoken rivalry amidst the household, as a reluctant Sir Roger refuses the newcomer’s attendance, much to the consternation of his wife. The scene unfolds with punctilious attention to decorum, as a contentious encounter brings to light the complexities of professional jealousy and personal d...

In which the devoted Dr Thorne is summoned back to the bedside of the ailing Sir Roger Scatcherd, whose fierce attachment to brandy and turbulent reflections on life lay bare the poignant complexity of a man burdened by wealth yet starved for companionship. The baronet confides in his steadfast friend the contents of a newly made will that entrusts both fortune and formidable responsibilities to h...

In which the conscientious doctor wrestles with the heavy complexities of loyalty, duty, and inheritance while tending to a gravely ill patient, all the while cherishing the simple joys and hopes he holds for his beloved niece. Amid discussions of fortune, friendship, and social distinctions, the narrative gently unfolds the subtle tensions between wealth and happiness in the quiet village life.

In which Mary Thorne wrestles with her place among the genteel circle at Greshamsbury, striving to maintain pride and friendship despite the sting of social distinctions and unreturned affections. Meanwhile, young Frank Gresham comes of age amid family expectations, receiving earnest counsel on the duties that lie before him, particularly the imperative to marry well and restore his family’s fortu...

In which the remarkable rise of Roger Scatcherd from humble mason to titled contractor is recounted alongside the persistent shadows of his intemperance, and his uneasy but indispensable alliance with Dr Thorne, who attends to his ailment with a blend of professional duty and reluctant friendship. We behold the delicate interplay of medical concern and human frailty as the doctor advises Sir Roger...

In which Mary Thorne wrestles with the complexities of love and social standing, seeking her uncle's counsel on the matter of marriage and her own place within the rigid hierarchy of county families. Meanwhile, Dr Thorne contemplates the weighty responsibilities of his guardianship and the delicate balance between truth, honour, and the harsh judgments of society.

In which the young heir of Greshamsbury navigates the beguiling airs and tender ambiguities of youthful flirtation amidst the genteel gardens and drawing-rooms, whilst his family conspires to secure for him a prosperous match befitting his rank and station. Meanwhile, Mary Thorne, with the dignity of one who has long pondered the nature of merit and birth, gently and firmly reminds him of the deli...

In which the Gresham family congregates at Greshamsbury to celebrate young Frank's coming of age amid whispered worries over the squire's financial difficulties and the pressures for advantageous marriages, while the doctor quietly observes the strained relationships and social ambitions in play. Amidst preparations for an impending wedding and the delicate dance of social rank, Mary Thorne naviga...

In which the young Frank Gresham, on the occasion of his coming of age, is warmly but anxiously celebrated by family and county acquaintances gathered at Greshamsbury, while navigating the social duties and subtle tensions of his inherited position. Amidst speeches and family counsel, the burdens of upholding the family honour, securing financial stability, and proving himself in the hunting field...

In which Dr Thorne, newly settled in the village of Greshamsbury, faces professional opposition from the established medical gentlemen owing to his unconventional practice and modest fees, yet gradually wins the affection of the local children and the squire through his honest, energetic character and devoted care. Meanwhile, his niece Mary Thorne comes to live with him, bringing new order to his...

In which the reader is introduced to the gentle county of Barsetshire and the once-prosperous Gresham family of Greshamsbury, whose present fortunes and social standing are somewhat diminished by political missteps and domestic trials, all set against the backdrop of a rich and immemorial English rural landscape. We also meet the young heir, Frank Gresham, and the modest yet important figures of t...

In which we are introduced to Dr Thorne, a man of proud lineage but troubled family ties, whose steadfast character is tested by scandal and hardship surrounding his errant brother and the misfortunes of a young woman named Mary Scatcherd. Amidst social judgment and personal sacrifice, Dr Thorne assumes the guardianship of an illegitimate child, navigating the precarious intersections of honour, d...

In which a carefully orchestrated series of interventions leads to the appointment of Mr. Arabin as the new Dean of Barchester, much to the delight of his friends and the town, while Mr. Harding gracefully accepts a different role, showing kindness and composed dignity. And so, with a quiet yet solemn ceremony, Mr. Harding introduces Mr. Quiverful to the hospital's aged inmates, fostering goodwill...

In which the joyful nuptials of Mr. Arabin and Eleanor are celebrated with heartfelt ceremonies and generous gifts, marking a harmonious new chapter in the life of Barchester’s ecclesiastical society. The narrative gently reflects on the characters’ differing churchmanships, sustained friendships, and the steady, earnest labours of those devoted to their spiritual callings.

In which Mr. Slope, having lost the favour and trust of the bishop and Mrs. Proudie, is compelled to seek a new path away from the cathedral city, encountering a firm and resolute dismissal from his former patrons. Meanwhile, the bishop, tempered by experience and under the steady influence of his wife, settles quietly into his role, with the household continuing its ordinary course under Mrs. Pro...

In which Mrs. Bold, having confided her engagement to Mr. Arabin to the hospitable Miss Thorne, shares a tender, unspoken understanding with her intended amidst the morning's quiet interruptions. Meanwhile, Mr. Harding, surprised yet pleased by the announcement, finds his thoughts oscillating between the possibility of the deanery and the prospect of welcoming Mr. Arabin as his son-in-law.

In which the archdeacon, after many misgivings and retracting former suspicions, learns of Eleanor’s engagement to Mr. Arabin and contemplates the pleasant prospects this alliance might bring to the family and the cathedral’s future. The episode closes with a spirit of reconciliation and anticipation as preparations for the impending marriage stir hopes and goodwill at Plumstead Rectory.

In which the long-anticipated appointment of the new Dean of Barchester stirs much speculation, contrasting ambitions, and private anxieties among the clergy and their families, particularly at Plumstead, where reputations and rivalries entwine uneasily. Meanwhile, an unexpected offer lands upon Mr. Harding, whose hesitations reveal a thoughtful reticence, much to the astonishment and chagrin of t...

In which Miss Thorne, with her well-meaning but somewhat hasty matchmaking, brings Eleanor Bold and Mr. Arabin into a closer acquaintance at Ullathorne, stirring a gentle unfolding of affection amid reflections on old-fashioned virtues and the complexities of the human heart. Amid quiet tears and tender reticence, a moment of mutual recognition and unspoken promise blossoms, marking a delicate tur...

In which the signora presides over a bright October gathering at Dr. Stanhope’s house, drawing a curious parade of visitors whose interactions reveal touches of ambition, affection, and rivalry. Among them, Mr. Slope’s awkward courtship and subsequent humiliation unfold under the signora’s sharp tongue, while Mr. Arabin quietly wrestles with his own uncertain feelings.

In which the Stanhope family faces the sombre reckoning of Bertie’s dissipated ambitions and his imminent departure from the household, marked by a stern paternal resolve and a weary sister’s reluctant defence. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bold encounters an unexpected and disquieting counsel from Madame Neroni, who reveals hidden affections and urges a cautious heart in matters of love.

In which the long-delayed appointment of Mr. Quiverful to the warden-ship of Hiram’s Hospital is at last confirmed, much to the delight and eager anticipation of the Quiverful family, while Mrs. Proudie’s firm hand guides the proceedings amidst the social manoeuvrings of Barchester’s clergy. Meanwhile, Dr. Gwynne navigates the chilly presence of the bishop’s wife with tact, and Mr. Slope finds him...