Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) was an English novelist of the Victorian era. Among his best-known works is a series of novels collectively known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, which revolves around the imaginary county of Barsetshire. "The Eustace Diamonds" is the third of six novels in another famous series, "The Palliser Novels," also known as the Parliamentary Novels. The plot of the novel centres on the fabulous necklace owned by the Eustace family, which the beautiful but ruthless opportunist Lizzie, claims as her own after she marries Sir Florian Eustace for his money and becomes his widow after only a few months.