The Three Clerks
1857
The Three Clerks, published in 1857 by Anthony Trollope, is a novel set in Victorian London that follows the lives of three young clerks—Henry Norman, Alaric Tudor, and Charles Tudor—as they navigate their careers in the Civil Service. The story explores their ambitions, friendships, and romantic relationships, while satirizing the Civil Service examinations and financial corruption. Notably, the novel draws on Trollope's own experiences as a clerk, making it one of his most autobiographical works, and it reflects the complexities of social class and young adulthood in a changing society.
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“Perhaps I may do something by writing,' said Charley, very bashfully. 'By writing! ha, ha, ha,' and Alaric laughed somewhat cruelly at the poor navvy”
— Anthony Trollope
“So also to Sir Robert Peel was Catholic Emancipation horrible, so was Reform of Parliament, so was the Corn Law Repeal. They were horrible to him, horrible to be thought of, horrible to be expressed. But the people required these measures, and therefore he carried them, arguing on their behalf with all the astuteness of a practised statesman.””
— Anthony Trollope
