The Fourth Generation: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Fourth Generation: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Fourth Generation is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Besant, Walter (1836–1901).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Fourth Generation" by Sir Walter Besant is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story explores themes of family legacy, ancestral burdens, and the consequences of one’s heritage. At its center is the character of Leonard Campaigne, who is confronted with the eccentricity of his great-grandfather, a recluse, and begins to uncover the hidden misfortunes that have befallen his family over generations. The opening of the novel introduces a stark and desolate March morning, where the protagonist’s great-grandfather walks the terrace of his grand but decaying estate in solitude. As Leonard reflects on his ancestor's peculiar and isolated existence, he is simultaneously engrossed in his own ambitions and doubts about family legacy. The narrative reveals that the old man has lived a life devoid of outside interaction for nearly seventy years, suggesting a deeper story of loss tied to past events. The chapter culminates with Leonard's visit, eliciting a complex mix of emotions, as he comes to terms with the weight of his family's history—a tapestry woven with tragedy, unspoken words, and the shadow of misfortune.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Fourth Generation
- Author credits: Besant, Walter (1836–1901)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
- Families -- Fiction
- Murder -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


