Set during the time of the Reform Act of 1832, the story centres on an election contested by Harold

Transome, a local landowner, in the "Radical cause" ("Radical" because Transome's version of
"radicalism" isn't radical at all, but rather an application of the term to his politically stagnant lifestyle),
contrary to his family's Tory traditions. Contrasting with the opportunism of Transome is the sincere,
but opinionated, Radical Felix Holt. A subplot concerns the stepdaughter of a Dissenting minister
who is the true heir to the Transome estate, but who is unaware of the fact. She becomes the object
of the affections of both Harold Transome and Felix Holt.

Plot summary[edit]
As the story starts, the reader is introduced to the fictitious community of Treby in the English
Midlands in 1832, around the time of the First Reform Act. Harold Transome, a local landowner, has
returned home after a fifteen-year trading career in the Middle East. Wealthy from trade, he stands
for election to Parliament from the county seat of North Loamshire. But contrary to his family's Tory
traditions, he intends to stand as a Radical. This alienates him from his traditional allies and causes
despair for his mother, Mrs. Transome. Harold Transome gains the support of his Tory uncle, the
Rector of Little Treby, and enlists the help of his family lawyer, Matthew Jermyn, as an
electioneering agent.
Much of his electioneering is focused in Treby Magna. In this village resides Felix Holt, who has
recently returned from extensive travels in Glasgow to live with his mother. He meets with Rev.
Rufus Lyon, a Dissenting minister in Treby Magna, and his stepdaughter, Esther. Felix and Mr. Lyon
become ready friends, but he appears to treat Esther with condescension. Felix and Rev. Lyon both
appear aligned to the Radical cause.
Harold Transome learns that Jermyn has been mismanaging the Transome estate and embezzling
money for himself. Transome remains silent during the election, yet Jermyn tries to devise a plan to
save himself from future prosecution. Meanwhile, Felix witnesses some electioneering for the
Radical cause in the nearby mining town of Sproxton. He is upset with the 'treating' of workers with
beer in exchange for their vocal support. Felix relays his concerns to Harold Transome, who
chastises John Johnson for his electioneering methods. However, Jermyn convinces Transome not
to interfere.
Rev. Lyon learns from Maurice Christian, servant of Philip Debarry, about the possible identity of
Esther's biological father. Rev. Lyon decides to tell Esther the truth about her father. Esther's outlook
on life changes upon finding that she is in fact Rev. Lyon's stepdaughter. Her relationship with her
stepfather deepens, while she also desires to emulate the high moral standards impressed upon her
by Felix Holt. Seeing the change in Esther's character, Felix Holt begins to fall in love with her.
However, both share the feeling that they are destined never to marry each other. Meanwhile, Rev.
Lyon challenges Rev. Augustus Debarry to a theological debate. The debate is initially agreed to, but
is cancelled at the last minute.
Riots erupt on election day in Treby Magna. Drunken mine workers from Sproxton assault
townspeople and wantonly destroy property. Felix Holt is caught up in the riots, and tries foolhardily
to direct its hostility away from the town. But in the end, Felix Holt is charged with the manslaughter
of a constable who tried to break up the riot. Harold Transome also loses the election to Debarry.
Harold Transome begins legal proceedings against Jermyn for the latter's mismanagement of the
Transome estate. Jermyn counters by threatening to publicise the true owner of the Transome
estate. However, Maurice Christian informs the Transomes that the true owner of the estate is in fact
Esther Lyon. Harold Transome invites her to the Transome estate, hoping to persuade her to marry
him. Harold and Esther establish a good rapport, and Esther also becomes more sympathetic with
Mrs. Transome, whose despair has continued to deepen. Esther feels torn between Harold
Transome and Felix Holt. She compares a life of comfortable wealth with Harold Transome and
motherly affection with Mrs. Transome, to a life of personal growth in poverty with Felix Holt.
Meanwhile, at Felix Holt's trial, Rev. Lyon, Harold Transome and Esther Lyon all vouch for his
character, but he is nevertheless found guilty of manslaughter. However, Harold Transome and the
Debarrys manage to have Felix Holt pardoned.
Harold Transome proposes to Esther Lyon, with the eager support of Mrs. Transome. But despite
Esther's feelings towards both Harold and Mrs. Transome, she declines the proposal. In an
altercation between Jermyn and Harold Transome, it is revealed that Jermyn is Harold Transome's
father. Harold considers he will no longer be suitable for marriage to Esther. Esther also surrenders
her claim to the Transome estate. The story ends with Felix Holt and Esther Lyon marrying and
moving away from Treby, along with Rev. Lyon. Matthew Jermyn is eventually ruined and moves
abroad, while John Johnson remains and prospers as a lawyer. The Debarrys remain friends with
the Transomes, and the contest to the Transome estate, while widely known, is never discussed.

Characters[edit]
 Felix Holt – Young, earnest and opinionated Radical recently returned to Treby Magna from
a medical apprenticeship in Glasgow. Felix Holt prefers a life of working-class poverty over a life
of comfortable wealth. He works as a watchmaker, supporting his mother and an adopted child,
Job. Although not a churchgoer, he befriends the Dissident minister in Treby Magna, Rev. Rufus
Lyon. Felix is initially disdainful of Rev. Lyon's refined daughter, Esther, but his attitude towards
her eventually begins to soften and he falls in love with her. His earnest but imprudent actions
earn the disdain of many Trebians, and land him in trouble during the election day riots.
 Harold Transome – 35-year-old wealthy landowner recently returned to Treby from a 15-
year trading career in the Middle East. He returns to England a widower with a young son,
Harry. He runs for the county seat of North Loamshire in parliamentary elections as a Radical,
contrary to his family's Tory traditions. Not long after his return to England, he discovers
Jermyn's mismanagement of the Transome estate, and while using Jermyn as an electioneering
agent, Harold Transome devises legal proceedings against him. The relationship between the
two men deteriorates as the story progresses. Jermyn confronts him with information on a
possible contestor to the ownership of the Transome estate. Harold Transome also takes a liking
to Esther Lyon later in the story.
 Esther Lyon – Stepdaughter of the Dissenting minister in Treby Magna, Rev. Rufus Lyon.
Esther earns a modest income as a teacher. She also has a refined sense of fashion and
manners. Her refined appearance and behaviour appear repugnant to Felix Holt at first, but her
developing earnestness softens his disdain. Learning that she is not Rev. Lyon's biological
daughter does not diminish her filial affection, but rather it strengthens their relationship. Her
new past brings her potential new wealth when she learns that she is the true heir to the
Transome estate. Later in the story, Esther feels torn between Felix Holt and Harold Transome,
both of whom are in love with her.
 Rev. Rufus Lyon – Dissenting minister in Treby Magna, who has one stepdaughter, Esther.
He befriends Felix Holt, a Radical. He also learns from Maurice Christian the possible identity of
Esther's biological father. Throughout the story, the bond between his stepdaughter and him
grows stronger, and he remains a helpful friend to Felix Holt.
 Matthew Jermyn – Transome family lawyer and former manager of the Transome estate.
He agrees to act as Harold Transome's agent during county elections. However, after Transome
discovers his mismanagement of the estate, Jermyn devises plans to stave off prosecution. He
discovers a possible contestor to the ownership of the Transome estate, information which he
tries to use against Harold. Jermyn also earns the disdain of John Johnson and Maurice
Christian. He also holds one other secret from Transome.
 Mrs. Transome – Mother of Harold Transome. Her husband's senility has left her in charge
of the Transome estate while her sons are absent. Prior to the beginning of the story, her
irresponsible oldest son has died, and she is eagerly anticipating her younger son's return to
 England. Harold Transome does return, but her expectations of their happy future life are
dashed soon after. Her son treats her kindly but insensitively, and Mrs. Transome's despair over
her changing situation deepens as the story progresses.
 Maurice Christian – Servant of Philip Debarry. He discovers and reveals critical information
to various characters at different stages throughout the story. Sir Maximus Debarry learns
through Maurice Christian that Harold Transome is a Radical candidate. Rev. Lyon learns
through an interview with Christian the possible identity of Esther's biological father. Jermyn
confronts Christian about his past, identifying him as Henry Scaddon, a criminal who was held in
a French prison with one Maurice Christian Bycliffe, with whom he swapped names. Mr. Bycliffe
was thus discovered to be Esther Lyon's biological father. Maurice Christian encounters a bill
sticker named Tommy Trounsem who has a rightful claim to the Transome estate. But upon
Trounsem's death, Maurice Christian informs Harold Transome about Esther Lyon's rightful
claim to the Transome estate.
 John Johnson – Electioneering agent working for Harold Transome. Mr. Johnson receives
the patronage of Matthew Jermyn, although he harbours a growing sense of resentment towards
his patron. He encourages a group of miners in a Sproxton pub to vocally support the Radical
cause, by 'treating' them to beer, over the objections of Felix Holt and Harold Transome. This
tactic backfires when the intoxicated workers become a riotous mob on election day.
 Thomas Trounsem – Bill sticker and resident of the Transome estate. He is in fact a
member of the Transome family who lives in disempowered poverty. While he remains alive, the
Transome estate legally remains with the Transome family. However, when Tommy Trounsem
dies in the election day riots, Esther Lyon becomes the rightful owner of the Transome estate.
 Sir Maximus Debarry – Tory baronet. He is a neighbour and traditional ally to the Transome
family. However, his friendship with the Transomes is suspended when he discovers Harold
Transome's position as a Radical. But after the election the friendship between the two families
is restored. Sir Maximus Debarry also works to get Felix Holt pardoned.
 Rev. Augustus Debarry – Rector of Treby Magna, brother of Sir Maximus Debarry and
uncle of Philip Debarry. Rufus Lyon challenges him to a theological debate, which Rev. Debarry
defers to Rev. Sherlock. The debate is called off when Rev. Sherlock absconds.
 Philip Debarry – Nephew of Rev. Augustus Debarry and Tory candidate for the seat of
North Loamshire in parliamentary elections. He sends Maurice Christian to meet with Rev. Lyon
to retrieve lost personal property. Philip Debarry wins the election for the seat of North
Loamshire in Parliament and is the means by which Felix Holt receives a pardon from the Home
Secretary.
 Mr. Transome, Snr – Father of Harold Transome. Mr. Transome, Snr is senile, and the
estate is managed by Mrs. Transome and Matthew Jermyn, prior to Harold Transome's return to
England. He enjoys playing with Harold Transome's young son, Harry.
 Mary Holt – Mother of Felix Holt. Her situation in the story reflects that of Mrs. Transome:
both of them are treated kindly but insensitively by their sons.
 Rev. John Lingon – Rector of Little Treby and uncle to Harold Transome. Despite his own
Tory background, he agrees to help Harold Transome with the election.