David Harum: A story of American life is a novel that vividly portrays rural American life in central New York through the lens of a shrewd, horse-trading banker. The story follows a clever and humorous man known for his straightforward observations and philanthropic deeds, hidden beneath a gruff exterior. He decides to bring in a young assistant recommended by a friend to help with his bank, and the narrative explores their developing relationship as the assistant navigates his new responsibilities and the local community's customs. The protagonist’s horse-trading serves as a metaphor for his pragmatic and sometimes morally flexible approach to business and life. Throughout, themes of character, morality, and human nature are woven into the depiction of small-town life and its economic and social dynamics. Love and lessons on human nature enrich the narrative, making it a celebrated example of American regional fiction, capturing the heart and humor of a bygone era with warmth and insight.
Edward Noyes Westcott (September 27, 1846 – March 31, 1898) was an American banker and author, best remembered for his published novel David Harum. Born in Syracuse, New York, Westcott was the son of Amos Westcott - a dentist, professor, dental college founder, politician, and former mayor of Syracuse. His brother, Frank Nash Westcott, was also a writer and clergyman. Edward was educated in local schools before beginning work at a bank at the age of sixteen, a profession he remained in for the rest of his life. While working in banking, Westcott developed a keen understanding of human nature and small-town dynamics, which would later inform his fiction. During a period of illness, he wrote David Harum, a humorous and insightful portrayal of American rural life centered around a wise and witty horse trader. The novel was published shortly after his death in 1898 and became a bestseller. Though his literary career was brief, Westcott left a lasting mark on American popular fiction.
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