David Harum A Story of American Life

by Edward Noyes Westcott

"David Harum" by Edward Noyes Westcott is a novel published in 1898. The story centers on David Harum, a small-town banker and horse trader whose unorthodox business philosophy challenges conventional morality. Speaking in rural New York dialect, Harum justifies dubious trading practices with his own version of the Golden Rule. This bestseller resonated particularly with businessmen of the era, offering a more relaxed code of ethics than typical novels of the time. The book's success sparked adaptations for stage, film, and radio.