A Gentleman´s Gentleman

Name: A Gentleman´s Gentleman
Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith

Francis Hopkinson Smith's A Gentleman's Gentleman is a novel about a young man, John, who is hired by a wealthy gentleman, Mr. Van Dam, to be his personal valet. John is a hardworking and honest young man, and he quickly earns the trust of his employer. John's duties include attending to Mr. Van Dam's every need, from dressing him in the morning to helping him with his correspondence. He also helps Mr. Van Dam with his business dealings, and even assists him in his romantic pursuits. John's loyalty and dedication to his employer are tested when he discovers that Mr. Van Dam is involved in a shady business deal. John must decide whether to remain loyal to his employer or to do what is right. The novel follows John's journey as he navigates the complexities of his job and his relationship with his employer. Along the way, he learns valuable lessons about loyalty, friendship, and morality.

By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1909 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Realism · 2 chapters · 5,646 words

First lines

I had left Sandy MacWhirter crooning over his smouldering wood fire the day Boggs blew in with news of the sale of Mac's two pictures at the Academy, and his reply to my inquiry regarding his future plans (vaguely connected with a certain girl in a steamer chair), "By the next steamer, my boy," still rang in my ears, but my surprise was none the less genuine when I looked up from my easel, two months later, at Sonning-on-the-Thames and caught sight of the dear fellow, with Lonnegan by his side, striding down the tow-path in search of me.

"By the Great Horn Spoon!" came the cry. And the next minute his big arms were about my shoulders, his cheery laugh filling the summer air.

What this Textopian page supports

A Gentleman´s Gentleman is listed on Textopian as a short story by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1909 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
Date: 1909 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Realism, Satire
Length: 5,646 words
Structure: 2 chapters, 87 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Work identity for A Gentleman´s Gentleman by Francis Hopkinson Smith
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The novel is set in the late 19th century and follows the story of a gentleman's gentleman, a personal servant, in the United States. It is a work of historical fiction that explores the themes of class, race, and gender in the context of the period.
Romance — The novel follows the romantic relationship between the protagonist and his employer, and explores the complexities of their relationship as they navigate the social conventions of the time.
Realism — The novel is written in a realistic style, with attention to detail and a focus on the everyday lives of the characters. It is a work of realism that explores the nuances of human relationships and the social conventions of the period.
Satire — The novel is written in a satirical style, with a focus on the absurdities of the social conventions of the time. It is a work of satire that explores the hypocrisies of the period and the power dynamics between the classes.