# Dr. Thomas Thorne — Doctor Thorne character guide > Dr. Thomas Thorne in Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Thomas Thorne, Dr. Thomas Thorne, the doctor, Tom **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-greshams-of-greshamsbury ## Snapshot The blunt, combative Greshamsbury physician who raised Mary as his own and will fight anyone who dares slight her. ## Who they are Dr. Thorne is the trusted country doctor of Greshamsbury, a man of sharp tongue and unbending principle who has made enemies among his medical brethren by refusing to traffic in fashionable humbug. He adores Mary as a daughter and guards the secret of her birth with fierce, almost paternal jealousy, resenting even Sir Roger Scatcherd's rough questions about her. His quarrels with Dr. Fillgrave and his complicated loyalties to both the Greshams and the Scatcherds place him at the hinge of nearly every plot in Barsetshire. ## In the story ### [Long, Long Ago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/ii-long-long-ago) Our hero; a proud man of old family, he stood by his profligate brother Henry and later became guardian to Mary Thorne after the tragic events. ### [Dr. Thorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/iii-dr-thorne) Settles in Greshamsbury as a physician-apothecary, drawing criticism from peers for his low fees and hands-on dispensing. He advises Mr. Gresham on financial matters and raises his niece Mary. ### [Lessons from Courcy Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/iv-lessons-from-courcy-castle) Confronts the squire's financial desperation, gently advising patience and reminding him that Frank can be happy without a vast income. ### [Frank Gresham's First Speech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/v-frank-gresham-s-first-speech) Present at the dinner, becomes the focus of Frank's gaze during the speech, and is mentioned by Frank. ### [VII: The Doctor’s Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/vii-the-doctor-s-garden) Deflects Mary's questions about marriage and class, then privately reflects on his decisions regarding her upbringing and future. ### [IX: Sir Roger Scatcherd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/ix-sir-roger-scatcherd) Visits Sir Roger Scatcherd to assess his health, advises against brandy and Winterbones' presence, and recommends sending for a London physician, but is rebuffed. ### [X: Sir Roger’s Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/x-sir-roger-s-will) Called back by Sir Roger after being dismissed; learns the details of Sir Roger's will and is troubled by the contingency involving Mary. ### [XI: The Doctor Drinks His Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xi-the-doctor-drinks-his-tea) Returns home troubled by Scatcherd's will, resolves to tell the truth, and shares tea with Mary. ### [When Greek Meets Greek, Then Comes the Tug of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xii-when-greek-meets-greek-then-comes-the-tug-of-war) Appears unexpectedly at the end of the chapter, encountering Dr. Fillgrave in the hall. ### [The Two Uncles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xiii-the-two-uncles) Visits Sir Roger to negotiate a loan for Mr. Gresham and reveals the secret of Mary Thorne's parentage, determined to protect her from the potential instability of Sir Roger's wealth. ### [Sentence of Exile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xiv-sentence-of-exile) Defends Mary's honor fiercely against Lady Arabella's insinuations, and reluctantly agrees to her banishment from Greshamsbury. ### [Retrospective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxiii-retrospective) Dr. Thorne is burdened by the secret of Mary's birth and the need to tell her; he is also called to attend the dying Sir Roger Scatcherd. ### [Louis Scatcherd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxiv-louis-scatcherd) Attends Sir Roger at Boxall Hill; stays the night and manages the case with professional discretion, though he knows there is no hope. ### [XXV: Sir Roger Dies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxv-sir-roger-dies) Attends Sir Roger in his final illness, promises to care for Lady Scatcherd, and learns the will's secret codicil. ### [War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxvi-war) Stands up to Lady Arabella, defending Mary's freedom and refusing to restrict her associations. ### [Miss Thorne Goes on a Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxvii-miss-thorne-goes-on-a-visit) Regrets his impulsive anger toward Lady Arabella but remains indignant. He decides not to tell Mary about the confrontation. ### [XXVIII: The Doctor Hears Something to His Advantage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxviii-the-doctor-hears-something-to-his-advantage) Dr. Thorne is horrified by Sir Louis's proposal to Mary and tries to dissuade him, but refuses to give outright consent. ### [Post Prandial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxx-post-prandial) Mary's uncle, who is informed of the engagement and later tells Frank the full story of Mary's birth. ### [The Small End of the Wedge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxi-the-small-end-of-the-wedge) Suffers from the estrangement with the Greshamsbury family; considers leaving the area; is eventually recommended by Sir Omicron Pie to attend Lady Arabella. ### [A Morning Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-morning-visit) Seen briefly in his shop mixing a dose, as Beatrice leaves the house. ### [A Barouche and Four Arrives at Greshamsbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxiv-a-barouche-and-four-arrives-at-greshamsbury) Struggles with legal troubles from Sir Roger's will and his ward's defiance; receives a reconciliatory invitation from the squire but initially refuses. ### [Sir Louis Goes Out to Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxv-sir-louis-goes-out-to-dinner) Accompanies Sir Louis to the dinner, manages his drunkenness, and is warmly greeted by the squire and Frank. ### [Will He Come Again?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxvi-will-he-come-again) Deals with Sir Louis's drunken outburst, expresses despair over his charge's condition, but finds solace in Mary. ### [Sir Louis Leaves Greshamsbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxvii-sir-louis-leaves-greshamsbury) Dr. Thorne firmly refuses Sir Louis's marriage proposal to Mary, manages the baronet's stay with difficulty, and later feels sympathy for him despite his rudeness. ### [The Two Doctors Change Patients](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xl-the-two-doctors-change-patients) Reinstated as Lady Arabella's physician; maintains a calm and confident demeanor during their conversation. ### [Doctor Thorne Won't Interfere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xli-doctor-thorne-won-t-interfere) Refuses to interfere in Frank and Mary's relationship, citing Mr. Gresham's own admission that wealth can atone for a mésalliance. ### [The Race of Scatcherd Becomes Extinct](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xliii-the-race-of-scatcherd-becomes-extinct) Comforts Lady Scatcherd, reveals Mary's inheritance, and travels to London for legal advice. ### [Law Business in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xlv-law-business-in-london) Dr. Thorne is in London after Sir Louis's funeral, consulting with lawyers. He is torn between revealing Mary's potential inheritance and keeping it secret, and he advises Frank to go home. ### [Our Pet Fox Finds a Tail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xlvi-our-pet-fox-finds-a-tail) Dr. Thorne discloses the inheritance to the Greshams and later tells Mary directly, struggling with the emotional weight of the revelation. ### [How the Bride Was Received, and Who Were Asked to the Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xlvii-how-the-bride-was-received-and-who-were-asked-to-the-wedding) Supports Mary's decisions, reconciles with the Thornes of Ullathorne, and is rumored to be marrying Miss Dunstable. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/dr_thorne - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters