"The History of Henry Esmond" occupies a special place in the work of W. Thackeray. It is written in the form of memoirs. Before us are pictures of the life of a noble noble family of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Gradually, the narrator’s circle of observations expands, and a wide canvas appears before the reader, which captures a picture of the life of an entire historical period. The narration is told on behalf of Colonel Henry Esmond, a participant in the events depicted.