# Doctor Strong — David Copperfield character guide

> Doctor Strong in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Doctor, The doctor, The Doctor, Doctor, Strong

**First appearance:** 0019-xvi-i-am-a-new-boy-in-more-senses-than-one

## Snapshot

A gentle, absent-minded schoolmaster whose kindness to David and devotion to his young wife make him one of the novel's most quietly admirable men.

## Who they are

Doctor Strong runs the Canterbury school where David is sent after leaving Salem House, and he is famous for his learning, his mildness, and his unfinished dictionary. He has married a woman many years his junior, Annie, and his trust in her is so complete that he refuses to see the gossip gathering around them. His goodness is not weakness, but it makes him vulnerable, and the question of whether that trust will be rewarded runs quietly through the middle of the book.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mrs_strong)

_romantic_

Doctor Strong and his much younger wife Annie share a loving but tested marriage, ultimately strengthened by trust.

### [Mr. Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mr_wickfield)

_friendship_

Doctor Strong is a kind, elderly friend and former employer to Mr. Wickfield, offering him stability and forgiveness.

### [Mrs. Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mrs_strong)

_romantic_

Doctor Strong and his much younger wife Annie share a loving but tested marriage, ultimately strengthened by trust.

### [Mr. Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mr_wickfield)

_friendship_

Doctor Strong is a kind, elderly friend and former employer to Mr. Wickfield, offering him stability and forgiveness.

### [Mr. Wickfield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mr_wickfield)

_friendship_

Doctor Strong is a kind, elderly friend and former employer to Mr. Wickfield, offering him stability and forgiveness.

### [Mrs. Strong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/mrs_strong)

_romantic_

Doctor Strong and his much younger wife Annie share a loving but tested marriage, ultimately strengthened by trust.

## In the story

### [XVI: I Am a New Boy in More Senses Than One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xvi-i-am-a-new-boy-in-more-senses-than-one)

Doctor Strong is introduced as a gentle, absent-minded scholar; he is kind to David and devoted to his wife.

### [XLII: Mischief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlii-mischief)

Defends his wife Annie with dignity; admits he may have wronged her by marrying her young.

### [XLV: Mr. Dick Fulfils My Aunt’s Predictions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlv-mr-dick-fulfils-my-aunt-s-predictions)

Shows gentle sorrow and insecurity about his marriage; ultimately reconciled with Annie after her declaration.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters/doctor_strong
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/characters