Barnaby Rudge · Character

Mr. Dennis

A professional hangman who joins the riots for profit and plunder, recoiling from any whiff of sentiment as unmanly weakness.

supporting

Also known as Dennis, the grinning Dennis

First appearance: chapter 1

As a supporting figure in Barnaby Rudge, Mr. Dennis is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Contributes a shilling to the Association and is noted as an earnest man by Lord George.

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See Mr. Dennis in Chapter 36 Book page

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Dennis marches with Hugh and Barnaby as a self-styled man of action, all too ready to turn public disorder into private gain. He is disgusted by Barnaby's talk of mothers and sweethearts, insisting there is no place for tenderness among rebels, and nudges the bewildered boy toward violence he does not understand. His cold, grinning pragmatism sharpens the novel's portrait of a mob held together by appetite rather than conviction.

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See Mr. Dennis in chapter 1

Character Web

20 connections

A slice of how Mr. Dennis sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Main Riot Participants

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

The emotional peak here is the collective dread and anticipation of an execution, as the city’s silence and th…

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In the story

Mr. Dennis appears across 21 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter 36
Contributes a shilling to the Association and is noted as an earnest man by Lord George.
Chapter 37
The hangman, eager for action, is flattered by Gashford's hints of leadership.
Chapter 38
Acts as Hugh's guide and recruiter, reveling in the prospect of destruction and admiring Hugh's physique.
Chapter 39
Mysterious about his trade, hints at a gruesome profession, and shows a fondness for his carved portrait.
Chapter 40
Mentioned as a fellow rioter and friend of Hugh, whose trade remains a secret.
Chapter 44
The hangman, cautious and experienced, advises patience and restraint, but is equally enthusiastic about the prospect of violence against Haredale.
Chapter 49
Expresses disgust at Barnaby's talk of his mother, showing his brutal and unsentimental nature. He is initially astonished by Hugh's manipulation of Barnaby.
Chapter 50
Disgusted with the crowd's lack of spirit; joins Hugh and Barnaby in the new riotous venture.
Chapter 52
Discusses the plan with Hugh, expressing his dislike of women and his admiration for Hugh's enthusiasm.
Chapter 53
Accompanies Hugh, is complicit in Gashford's plot, and is unnerved by Gashford's calm and sly manner.
Chapter 54
Called upon to help bind John Willet as the mob decides his fate.
Chapter 59
Assists in the abduction, makes crude jokes, and leers at the captives.
Chapter 60
The hangman, who cautions Hugh against his noisy behavior and later helps restrain the crowd, advocating for a planned attack on Newgate.
Chapter 63
Leads the mob alongside Hugh and Simon Tappertit.
Chapter 64
Follows Hugh into the jail, participating in the attack.
Chapter 65
Directs the rioters inside the prison, then locks himself in the condemned cells, ignoring the pleas of the condemned men.
Chapter 70
The hangman, now in private life, schemes to abduct Dolly to prevent her from testifying against him.
Chapter 74
Arrested and imprisoned at Newgate, he tries to maintain optimism about his fate, but is visibly shaken by his confinement and Hugh's hostility.
Chapter 75
The hangman, also condemned, who revealed the story of Hugh's mother.
Chapter 76
Reduced to abject cowardice, desperately pleading for a reprieve and writhing in terror at the thought of his own execution.
Chapter 77
Prostrates himself in terror, begging for mercy and claiming his identity as the hangman should spare him.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mr. Dennis in chapter 1

See Mr. Dennis in Chapter 36