The action is centred on the town of Tewkesbury, scarcely disguised by the fictional name Norton Bury, in Gloucestershire. The story is narrated by Phineas, a friend of the central character. John Halifax is an orphan, determined to make his way in the world through honest hard work. He is taken in by a tanner, Abel Fletcher, who is a Quaker, and thus meets Phineas, who is Abel's son. John eventually achieves success in business and love, and becomes a wealthy man.

A photographic postcard, probably from the early 20th century, depicts Dunkirk Mills, Inchbrook, near Nailsworth and Stroud, Gloucestershire, stating it was the "original Mills of 'John Halifax Gentleman'".

A discussion on a Stroud Fakebook [sic] page suggests that Enderley and the cottage were modelled on an area near Avening.

An illustrated edition was published by J. M. Dent & Co. in 1898, with twelve colour plates by three artists: W. C. (Cubitt) Cooke. L. M. (Laura) Fisher and F. C. (Frederick Colin) Tilney.

The novel has been adapted several times. A 1915 silent film John Halifax, Gentleman was directed by George Pearson. In 1938 a film version John Halifax was made. In 1974 a BBC series John Halifax, Gentleman was made.

The book is mentioned in Agatha Christie's 1935 novel Why Didn't They Ask Evans?.^[2]

The book is mentioned in the first Elinor M Brent-Dyer’s Chalet School series, “The School at the Chalet”, as being read three times consecutively by central character, Jo Bettany. ^[3]

• John Halifax, Gentleman at A Celebration of Women Writers

• John Halifax, Gentleman at Project Gutenberg
•   John Halifax, Gentleman public domain audiobook at LibriVox
• John Halifax, Gentleman at IMDb