# Gashford — Barnaby Rudge character guide

> Gashford in Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Muster Gashford, dear Gashford, Mr. Gashford

**First appearance:** 0002-chapter-1

## Snapshot

Lord George Gordon's smiling secretary, who flatters hot-headed men into violence and then steps neatly out of the way.

## Who they are

Gashford glides through the Gordon household with the smooth manners of a trusted servant, but his real talent is for manipulation: he pours drink, drops rumours of Romish chapels, and lets Hugh and Dennis believe the idea was their own. When the mob rushes out, he stops mid-laugh, listens, draws on his gloves, and strolls into the crowded streets to watch what he has set loose. His quiet treachery gives the riots their most chilling engine.

## In the story

### [Chapter 35](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-35)

Lord George's secretary, he is obsequious and sly, urging his lordship to rest for the sake of the cause. His manner is smooth and humble, but with a lurking slyness.

### [Chapter 36](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-36)

Reveals his manipulative nature, feigning devotion while secretly plotting and distributing propaganda.

### [Chapter 37](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-37)

Secretary to Lord George, manipulates Dennis and Hugh, planning the Protestant procession.

### [Chapter 38](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-38)

The secretary who enrolls Hugh, feigning ignorance of the handbill and manipulating the new recruit.

### [Chapter 39](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-39)

Mentioned as having enrolled Hugh as a new member of the cause.

### [Chapter 43](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-43)

Present with Lord George Gordon, appears restless and cringing. Haredale accuses him of a criminal past and servile treachery.

### [Chapter 44](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-44)

Bruised and humiliated by the day's events, Gashford follows Hugh and Dennis to their hideout, where he reveals his cunning and malevolent nature by commissioning them to destroy Haredale.

### [Chapter 48](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-48)

Secretary to Lord George, manipulates the situation, accusing the mother of female depravity.

### [Chapter 50](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-50)

Secretary who reveals the petition's rejection; manipulates Hugh and Barnaby into further violence.

### [Chapter 52](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-52)

Walks stealthily among the rioters, expressing dissatisfaction with their progress and urging more destructive action.

### [Chapter 53](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/chapters/chapter-53)

Manipulates Hugh and Dennis, inciting them to violence against Haredale, and observes the mob's movements from Lord George Gordon's house.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters/gashford
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barnaby_rudge_se/characters