Phineas Finn

Phineas Finn is a novel by Anthony Trollope and the name of its leading character. The novel was first published as a monthly serial from 1867–1868 and issued in book form in 1869. It is the second of the "Palliser" series of novels. Its sequel, Phineas Redux, is the fourth novel in the series. It deals with British politics of the 1860s, including voting reform, secret ballot, rotten boroughs, and Irish tenant-right, as well as Finn's romances with women of fortune, which would secure his financial future. Synopsis Volume I: In Killaloe, County Clare, Phineas Finn is the only son of a successful doctor who can afford to send him to London to study law. His friend Laurence Fitzgibbon stirs Finn's appetite for politics. Loughshane, a pocket borough in Ireland is controlled by Tory Lord Tulla. He declines to oppose Finn's attempt to win the borough for the Whigs. Finn is elected to Parliament without a salary. He decides to make a go of politics on his father's small allowance. Within the social circle of his fellow MPs, he falls in love with Lady Laura Standish, the wealthy daughter of a prominent Whig politician. Just before he can propose to her, Lady Laura reveals she has accepted Robert Kennedy. She confides the marriage is necessary to settle the debts of her brother, Lord Oswald Chiltern.