The Warden is a Victorian novel by Anthony Trollope. First published in 1855, it’s the first novel in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series, and it features a clergyman debating what to do with a huge sum of money he’s received. The book is widely regarded as one of the most popular books from the Victorian era, although it’s much shorter than most Victorian novels.

Trollope was one of the most respected Victorian novelists. His books all comment on political, gender, and social issues, and the problems with Victorian morality. The Chronicles of Barsetshire novels are among his best-known works.

The Warden is set in the fictional town of Barchester, Barsetshire. It takes place in an almshouse called Hiram’s Hospital. Hiram’s looks after elderly laborers and farmworkers who can’t earn a living anymore. A wealthy man called John Hiram established the almshouse centuries ago, and it now runs on charitable donations.

The protagonist is a man called Reverend Septimus Harding. Harding is 50 years old, and he has two daughters, Susan and Eleanor. He is a quiet, well-mannered, and conscientious man, and he dedicates his life to looking after others. Money isn’t a concern to him—he’d rather earn a priest’s measly salary than work for any corrupt and wealthy organization—but he needs money to support Eleanor until she gets married. His eldest daughter, Susan, is already married to the archdeacon, Dr. Grantly.

One day, Barchester Cathedral appoints Harding as the new precentor. Alongside looking after Barchester Cathedral, Harding must also serve as warden to Hiram’s Hospital. Harding gets money based on how much Hiram’s is worth, and its value increases each year. It’s not long before Harding earns an impressive income, most of which he spends on Eleanor and the elderly men under his wardship....