# Sir Herbert Witherspoon — Ashenden character guide

> Sir Herbert Witherspoon in Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Sir Herbert, Witherspoon

**First appearance:** 0008-vii-a-trip-to-paris

## Who they are

A pompous British diplomat with a taste for fine dining.

## Relationships

### [Ashenden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/ashenden)

_professional_

Sir Herbert Witherspoon is a British diplomat who interacts with Ashenden in the context of intelligence work.

### [Ashenden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/ashenden)

_professional_

Sir Herbert Witherspoon is a British diplomat who interacts with Ashenden in the context of intelligence work.

### [Ashenden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/ashenden)

_professional_

Sir Herbert Witherspoon is a British diplomat who interacts with Ashenden in the context of intelligence work.

## In the story

### [Behind the Scenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xi-behind-the-scenes)

The British ambassador in X, initially cold and formal toward Ashenden, but later becomes more cordial after Ashenden helps him with the American ambassador.

### [XII: His Excellency](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xii-his-excellency)

Hosts Ashenden; reveals a story about a man's affair with Alix, implied to be himself; shows emotional distress.

### [XIII: The Flip of a Coin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xiii-the-flip-of-a-coin)

Briefly mentioned in Ashenden's thoughts as he reflects on the triviality of life compared to the weighty decision at hand.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/sir_herbert_witherspoon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters