# Mr. Owen — Cousin Henry character guide

> Mr. Owen in Cousin Henry by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** William Owen, the Rev. William Owen

**First appearance:** 0011-xii-mr-owen

## Snapshot

The Reverend William Owen, a local clergyman who loves Isabel and must learn, before he can speak to her, that she is once again an heiress.

## Who they are

Mr. Owen is the family's trusted friend and the man Isabel refused when she was rich — and refuses still, now that she is poor, out of a pride she cannot abandon. His arrival for tea is treated by the household as an event of serious importance, and his confusion in her presence is plain to everyone. Isabel's insistence that her father tell him the news before she sees him shows how much his opinion weighs on her, and how carefully she guards her own heart.

## Relationships

### [Isabel Brodrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/characters/isabel_brodrick)

_romantic_

Isabel and Mr. Owen share a deep romantic connection, with Mr. Owen being her suitor and the primary emotional focus of her affections.

### [Isabel Brodrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/characters/isabel_brodrick)

_romantic_

Isabel and Mr. Owen share a deep romantic connection, with Mr. Owen being her suitor and the primary emotional focus of her affections.

### [Isabel Brodrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/characters/isabel_brodrick)

_romantic_

Isabel and Mr. Owen share a deep romantic connection, with Mr. Owen being her suitor and the primary emotional focus of her affections.

## In the story

### [Isabel Brodrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/chapters/ii-isabel-brodrick)

William Owen, a minor canon at Hereford, proposed to Isabel during her last visit; she rejected him due to her uncle's opposition, but she still thinks of him and regrets the lost relationship.

### [IV: The Squire’s Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/chapters/iv-the-squire-s-death)

Renews his suit to Isabel at Hereford, insisting he loves her regardless of her inheritance, is interrupted by the telegram.

### [Isabel at Hereford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/chapters/xi-isabel-at-hereford)

Isabel's suitor, currently on holiday in Europe; Mrs. Brodrick hopes he will marry Isabel and relieve the family of her burden.

### [Mr. Owen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/chapters/xii-mr-owen)

Returns to Hereford and immediately seeks Isabel, attempting to embrace her and renew his suit, confident of her love.

### [Again at Hereford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/chapters/xvi-again-at-hereford)

Doubts the righteousness of the newspaper's accusations against Cousin Henry, but retreats from his earlier certainty that Isabel and the property are separate; still hopes to marry her.

### [XXIII: Isabel's Petition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/chapters/xxiii-isabel-s-petition)

Mr. Owen initially resists Isabel's advances due to pride, but eventually embraces her and agrees to marry her after her bold petition.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/characters/mr_owen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cousin_henry_se/characters