Coningsby (novel)

In describing these events Disraeli sets out his own beliefs including his opposition to Robert Peel, his dislikes of both the British Whig Party and the ideals of Utilitarianism, and the need for social justice in a newly industrialized society.

In Coningsby Disraeli articulates a "Tory interpretation" of history to combat the "accepted [Whig] orthodoxy of the day"[2] which was highly influenced by Thomas Carlyle's Heroes and Hero-Worship (1841).

[5] This manifests itself in Coningsby's eponymous hero refusing the opportunity to stand as a Conservative parliamentary candidate even though he is opposed to the Whigs.

[7] Defunct The novel follows the life and career of Henry Coningsby, the orphan grandson of a wealthy marquess, Lord Monmouth.

Lord Monmouth initially disapproved of Coningsby's parents' marriage, but on their death he relents and sends the boy to be educated at Eton College.

At Eton Coningsby meets and befriends Oswald Millbank, the son of a rich cotton manufacturer who is a bitter enemy of Lord Monmouth.

As Coningsby grows up he begins to develop his own liberal political views, and falls in love with Oswald's sister Edith.

Coningsby went to Eton where, in a rafting incident, he saved the life of a son of a wealthy manufacturer (Oswald Millbank).

Out walking one day shortly after leaving Eton, Coningsby takes refuge from a storm in an inn where he is captivated by a flamboyant traveller talking about young people needing to drive things forward and of the end of the “Age of Ruins”.

He is shown some of his father's old possessions in a banker's safe including a portrait of a woman, presumably Coningsby's mother, which he had also seen at Milbank's home.

Whilst visiting an art gallery he observes a beautiful young woman who turns out to be Edith Millbank and they are reacquainted at a grand ball Lord Monmouth holds the following evening.

At a Christmas party shortly afterwards hosted by one of Coningsby's school friends, news arrives that Lord Monmouth has died.

Monmouth had a habit of changing his will and the latest version bequeaths next to nothing to Coningsby, the bulk of his wealth being left to Flora who turns out to be his daughter.