# Mr. Carrington — Democracy character guide

> Mr. Carrington in Democracy by Henry Adams.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Carrington, John Carrington

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A principled Virginia lawyer and former Confederate soldier whose quiet loyalty to Madeleine masks a deep, unspoken love and a painful past.

## Who they are

Carrington is a gentleman of the old South, a pardoned rebel who now practices law in Washington and serves as Madeleine's most trusted friend and advisor. He carries the scars of the war and a hopeless devotion to Madeleine, which makes him both her protector and a silent rival to Ratcliffe. His moral clarity and personal sacrifice provide a counterweight to the political cynicism around him, and his warnings about Ratcliffe shape Madeleine's choices.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/iii)

Advises French that senators will not reform anything; present at the dinner and later invited to Schneidekoupon's event.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/iv)

Present at the gathering, he interjects critically about Ratcliffe, viewing him as obstructive to virtue.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/v)

Observes Ratcliffe's advances on Madeleine with anxiety, and subtly challenges Ratcliffe on his past corruption.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/vi)

Deliberately provokes Ratcliffe by praising Washington's virtue, and shares anecdotes about Washington's meticulousness.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/vii)

Laughs off Mrs. Lee's questions about political intrigue, saying such matters are private.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/viii)

Mentioned by Mrs. Baker as 'dear Mr. Carrington' and 'a delicious man.'

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/ix)

Refuses the Solicitor of the Treasury position offered through Ratcliffe, feeling it would compromise his integrity and put him under Ratcliffe's control. He is deeply in love with Mrs. Lee and tormented by his hopeless passion.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/x)

Pleads with Madeleine to leave Washington and avoid Ratcliffe's influence; later confesses his love for her.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/xii)

Writes the letter exposing Ratcliffe's betrayal of trust; asks Madeleine to keep the secret and show it only to Ratcliffe.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/xiii)

Referenced by Ratcliffe as having previously challenged him on the same moral grounds.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/chapters/conclusion)

Recipient of Sybil's letter; Sybil hints he should try again with Madeleine after she returns from Europe.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters/john_carrington
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_se/characters