# Mr. Dick — David Copperfield character guide

> Mr. Dick in David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dick, poor harmless Mr. Dick, poor Mr. Dick, XLV Mr. Dick, poor Dick

**First appearance:** 0013-x-i-become-neglected-and-am-provided-for

## Snapshot

Betsey Trotwood's gentle, muddled lodger, forever wrestling King Charles's troubles out of his own head and into a memorial.

## Who they are

Mr. Dick lives under Betsey Trotwood's protection, kindly, harmless, and obsessed with a manuscript that keeps collapsing into the fate of King Charles the First. His confusion is real, but his loyalty and shrewd affection are not, and David comes to love him as a barometer of his aunt's hidden tenderness. He matters because his quiet observations — of a mysterious man, of Betsey's secret griefs — hint that the household's eccentric surface conceals older wounds and loyalties.

## In the story

### [My Aunt Makes Up Her Mind About Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xiv-my-aunt-makes-up-her-mind-about-me)

Present during the interview; offers the practical suggestion to have David measured for clothes, which Betsey praises.

### [XV: I Make Another Beginning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xv-i-make-another-beginning)

Mr. Dick is David's affectionate friend, who flies kites and is deeply saddened by David's departure for school.

### [XIX: I Look About Me, and Make a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xix-i-look-about-me-and-make-a-discovery)

Mr. Dick is briefly mentioned as being kept by Aunt Betsey to take care of her, and he expresses dedication to his Memorial.

### [My Aunt Astonishes Me](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxiv-my-aunt-astonishes-me)

Arrives with Aunt Betsey, leaning thoughtfully on a large kite, with luggage piled around him.

### [Depression](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxv-depression)

Moves into David's lodging, initially complacent about the ruin but becomes deeply distressed when David explains the reality of their situation.

### [A Little Cold Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-little-cold-water)

Mr. Dick continues his copying work in a state of absolute felicity in the Buckingham Street household.

### [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)

Supports Annie Strong during the confrontation and helps bring the truth to light, fulfilling Aunt Betsey's predictions.

### [I Am Involved in Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/xlix-i-am-involved-in-mystery)

Shows great compassion to Mr. Micawber, repeatedly shaking his hand.

### [Agnes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lx-agnes)

Mentioned as happily occupied with copying and keeping King Charles the First at a distance.

### [A Light Shines on My Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_copperfield_se/chapters/lxii-a-light-shines-on-my-way)

Mr. Dick is discomfited by Aunt Betsey's agitated behavior.

## Links

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