# Joseph Stangerson — A Study in Scarlet character guide

> Joseph Stangerson in A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Stangerson, Mr. Joseph Stangerson, Mr. Stangerson, a Mr. Stangerson, Brother Stangerson, young Stangerson

**First appearance:** 0003-iii-the-lauriston-gardens-mystery

## Who they are

A nasal-voiced Mormon elder with four wives and better prospects, who treats a young woman's hand as a matter of church rank and inheritance.

## Relationships

### [Enoch J. Drebber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/characters/enoch_j_drebber)

_professional_

Enoch J. Drebber and Joseph Stangerson are fellow Mormon elders and co-conspirators in the persecution of the Ferrier family.

### [Alice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/characters/alice)

_family_

Alice is the daughter of Joseph Stangerson, and their relationship is strained by her father's cruel actions.

### [John Ferrier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/characters/john_ferrier)

_rivalry_

John Ferrier is threatened and persecuted by Joseph Stangerson, a Mormon elder who demands Lucy's hand in marriage.

### [John Ferrier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/characters/john_ferrier)

_rivalry_

John Ferrier is threatened and persecuted by Joseph Stangerson, a Mormon elder who demands Lucy's hand in marriage.

### [Alice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/characters/alice)

_family_

Alice is the daughter of Joseph Stangerson, and their relationship is strained by her father's cruel actions.

## In the story

### [I: On the Great Alkali Plain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/chapters/i-on-the-great-alkali-plain)

An Elder in the Mormon caravan, tasked by Brigham Young with caring for Ferrier and Lucy and teaching them the Mormon creed.

### [II: The Flower of Utah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/chapters/ii-the-flower-of-utah)

An Elder whose wagon carries Lucy during the migration; later one of the principal Elders receiving large land tracts.

### [III: John Ferrier Talks with the Prophet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/chapters/iii-john-ferrier-talks-with-the-prophet)

Stangerson's son is mentioned as the other potential husband for Lucy, as proposed by Brigham Young.

### [IV: A Flight for Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/chapters/iv-a-flight-for-life)

One of the suitors who demands Lucy's hand, threatening Ferrier after being rebuffed.

### [The Avenging Angels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/chapters/v-the-avenging-angels)

Shoots John Ferrier, competes with Drebber for Lucy, later flees with Drebber; targeted by Hope.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/characters/joseph_stangerson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_study_in_scarlet_se/characters