# Mr. Temple — Charlotte Temple character guide

> Mr. Temple in Charlotte Temple by Susanna Haswell Rowson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Temple, II Domestic Concerns Mr. Temple

**First appearance:** 0004-volume-i-ii-domestic-concerns

## Snapshot

Charlotte's generous father, a man of feeling whose instinct to relieve suffering extends even to the woman who helped destroy his daughter.

## Who they are

Mr. Temple is defined by an impulsive, noble-hearted charity — he shelters a stranger on his doorstep without pausing to weigh the cost. That same warmth makes his grief over Charlotte's fate almost unbearable, and his forgiveness of those who wronged her becomes a moral test of the novel's values. His presence anchors the story's argument that sensibility, rightly used, is virtue rather than weakness.

## In the story

### [Charlotte Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/charlotte-temple)

Charlotte's father, a figure of parental love and concern, who later visits her grave.

### [II: Domestic Concerns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-ii-domestic-concerns)

Introduced as a benevolent younger son who values internal happiness over outward show; visits Captain Eldridge in prison and offers assistance.

### [III: Unexpected Misfortunes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-iii-unexpected-misfortunes)

Listener to Mr. Eldridge's tale; offers philosophical comfort.

### [IV: Change of Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-iv-change-of-fortune)

Visits Eldridge in prison, resolves to mortgage his fortune to relieve him, and is confronted by his father about his intentions toward Lucy.

### [VIII: Domestic Pleasures Planned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-viii-domestic-pleasures-planned)

Initially resists indulging Charlotte but is persuaded by his wife's tenderness and virtue.

### [X: When We Have Excited Curiosity, It Is but an Act of Good Nature to Gratify It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-x-when-we-have-excited-curiosity-it-is-but-an-act-of-good-nature-to-gratify-it)

Mentioned as Charlotte's father who would likely oppose a marriage to Montraville.

### [XI: Conflict of Love and Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xi-conflict-of-love-and-duty)

Mentioned as the father Charlotte fears would curse the hour of her birth if she elopes.

### [XIV: Maternal Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv-maternal-sorrow)

Struggles to contain his sorrow while comforting his wife after reading Charlotte's note.

### [XV: Embarkation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-i-xv-embarkation)

Searches for Charlotte and expresses willingness to forgive her if she returns.

### [XXII: Sorrows of the Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxii-sorrows-of-the-heart)

Mentioned in Charlotte's letter as a beloved father whose anger she fears.

### [XXV: Reception of a Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv-reception-of-a-letter)

Grieves over Charlotte's absence, reads her letter aloud, and resolves to travel to New York to bring her home.

### [XXIX: We Go Forward Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxix-we-go-forward-again)

Charlotte's father; Charlotte fears his affection is alienated or his heart broken.

### [XXXIII: Which People Void of Feeling Need Not Read](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxiii-which-people-void-of-feeling-need-not-read)

Arrives in search of Charlotte, reunites with her, and holds her infant as she dies.

### [Retribution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxiv-retribution)

Appears at Charlotte's grave as her grieving father; confronts Montraville but forgives him, leaving judgment to Heaven.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxxv-conclusion)

Returns to England with his family; shows compassion to the repentant Mrs. Crayton.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters/mr_temple
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/charlotte_temple_se/characters