# Frank Gresham — Doctor Thorne character guide > Frank Gresham in Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Francis Newbold Gresham, young Frank Gresham, Francis Newbold Gresham the Younger, Master Frank Gresham, Mr. Gresham, Francis N. Gresham, Francis Gresham of Greshamsbury **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-greshams-of-greshamsbury ## Snapshot The likable heir of a mortgaged estate, caught between his love for the doctor's niece and a family that needs him to marry money. ## Who they are Frank Gresham is the young squire-in-waiting of Greshamsbury, raised to inherit a title and a fortune that no longer exist; his mother's de Courcy relatives have already begun parading him before heiresses. He loves Mary Thorne honestly and stubbornly, yet he knows that marrying her would sink the estate his father has already half-ruined, and his family will not let him forget it. His struggle between romantic constancy and dynastic duty is the engine that drives the novel's central courtship plot. ## Relationships ### [Mary Thorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/mary_thorne) _romantic_ Frank is deeply in love with Mary and pursues her despite family opposition and her illegitimate birth. ### [Lady Arabella de Courcy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/lady_arabella_de_courcy) _family_ Lady Arabella is Frank's domineering mother, constantly pressuring him to marry for money and status. ### [Beatrice Gresham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/beatrice_gresham) _family_ Beatrice is Frank's sister, often mediating between him and their mother over his romance with Mary. ### [Countess de Courcy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/countess_de_courcy) _family_ Countess de Courcy is Frank's aunt, who supports Lady Arabella's efforts to control Frank's marriage. ### [Old Mr. Thorne of Ullathorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/old_mr_thorne_of_ullathorne) _social_ Frank respects Old Mr. Thorne as a family elder and seeks his blessing for his marriage to Mary. ### [Mary Thorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/mary_thorne) _romantic_ Frank is deeply in love with Mary and pursues her despite family opposition and her illegitimate birth. ### [Mary Thorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/mary_thorne) _romantic_ Frank is deeply in love with Mary and pursues her despite family opposition and her illegitimate birth. ### [Lady Arabella de Courcy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/lady_arabella_de_courcy) _family_ Lady Arabella is Frank's domineering mother, constantly pressuring him to marry for money and status. ### [Countess de Courcy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/countess_de_courcy) _family_ Countess de Courcy is Frank's aunt, who supports Lady Arabella's efforts to control Frank's marriage. ### [Beatrice Gresham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/beatrice_gresham) _family_ Beatrice is Frank's sister, often mediating between him and their mother over his romance with Mary. ### [Beatrice Gresham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/beatrice_gresham) _family_ Beatrice is Frank's sister, often mediating between him and their mother over his romance with Mary. ### [Lady Arabella de Courcy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/lady_arabella_de_courcy) _family_ Lady Arabella is Frank's domineering mother, constantly pressuring him to marry for money and status. ## In the story ### [The Greshams of Greshamsbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/i-the-greshams-of-greshamsbury) The heir to Greshamsbury, described as handsome and the darling of his father's heart, coming of age in 1854. ### [Long, Long Ago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/ii-long-long-ago) Young Frank Gresham was fostered by Mrs. Scatcherd, connecting the Gresham and Scatcherd families. ### [Lessons from Courcy Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/iv-lessons-from-courcy-castle) Fresh from his birthday, he is unsettled by his cousin John's remarks that his stable of two horses is inadequate for his station as heir to Greshamsbury. ### [Frank Gresham's First Speech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/v-frank-gresham-s-first-speech) Celebrates his coming of age, makes his first speech, and resists his aunt's pressure to prioritize marrying money over his education. ### [Frank Gresham's Early Loves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/vi-frank-gresham-s-early-loves) Frank is the heir of Greshamsbury, pursued by his family for a wealthy marriage, but he has declared his love to Mary Thorne, though she has rejected his advances. ### [VII: The Doctor’s Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/vii-the-doctor-s-garden) Referenced as having declared his love to Mary; she considers him still a boy who will change his mind. ### [Matrimonial Prospects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/viii-matrimonial-prospects) Pressured by his aunt to marry Miss Dunstable for money; resists but agrees to visit Courcy Castle; privately reaffirms his love for Mary to Beatrice. ### [Sentence of Exile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xiv-sentence-of-exile) Has been sent to Courcy Castle by his mother, partly to separate him from Mary; his declaration of love to Mary is the catalyst for the chapter's conflict. ### [Courcy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xv-courcy) Visits Courcy Castle, finds it dull, and is unimpressed by Mr. Moffat's demeanor. ### [Miss Dunstable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xvi-miss-dunstable) Frank is introduced to Miss Dunstable and flirts with her at his aunt's behest, but remains inwardly resolved to marry Mary Thorne. He also engages in electioneering, securing a vote by promising bonnets. ### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xviii-the-rivals) Courts Miss Dunstable without serious intent, following his aunt's advice but unable to be serious. ### [The Duke of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xix-the-duke-of-omnium) Attends the dinner at Gatherum Castle, is offended by the duke's lack of engagement, and leaves early in disgust. ### [The Proposal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xx-the-proposal) Attempts to propose to Miss Dunstable but is rebuffed; later admits his folly and reconciles with her. ### [Sir Roger Is Unseated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxii-sir-roger-is-unseated) Kept away from Greshamsbury by his parents; continues studies at Cambridge. ### [Retrospective](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxiii-retrospective) Frank is discussed as having been foolish in declaring his love to Mary; his passion is contrasted with Mary's restraint. ### [War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxvi-war) Mentioned as the object of Beatrice's discussions about love and marriage, though he does not appear directly. ### [Miss Thorne Goes on a Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxvii-miss-thorne-goes-on-a-visit) Expected home in early July; his impending return causes the family to plan Mary's removal from Greshamsbury. ### [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) Frank is mentioned by Lady Scatcherd as a topic of conversation, but Mary avoids discussing him. ### [The Donkey Ride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxix-the-donkey-ride) Defies his mother Lady Arabella and rides to Boxall Hill to pursue Mary Thorne, declaring his intention to marry her despite family opposition. ### [Post Prandial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxx-post-prandial) Returns home happy from Boxall Hill, resolves to tell his father about his love for Mary, and remains committed despite learning of her birth. ### [The Small End of the Wedge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxi-the-small-end-of-the-wedge) Absent from Greshamsbury for twelve months and a day under a compact not to correspond with Mary. ### [A Morning Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-morning-visit) Mentioned as being abroad and rumored to be attached to a lady in London; his love for Mary is kept alive by Miss Dunstable's encouragement. ### [Sir Louis Goes Out to Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxv-sir-louis-goes-out-to-dinner) Returns unexpectedly from London, now with a beard and a more mature demeanor; privately asks Dr. Thorne about Mary. ### [Will He Come Again?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxvi-will-he-come-again) Returns to Greshamsbury after a year abroad, immediately seeks out Mary, declares his love, and proposes marriage again. ### [De Courcy Precepts and de Courcy Practice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxviii-de-courcy-precepts-and-de-courcy-practice) Augusta fears he is being foolish with Mary Thorne, highlighting the ongoing romantic tension. ### [XXXIX: What the World Says About Blood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxxix-what-the-world-says-about-blood) Frank insists Mary be a bridesmaid and declares his intention to marry her, even if it means giving up the estate. ### [The Two Doctors Change Patients](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xl-the-two-doctors-change-patients) Cordially informs Dr. Fillgrave that his mother will no longer need his services, carefully avoiding mention of Dr. Thorne. ### [Doctor Thorne Won't Interfere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xli-doctor-thorne-won-t-interfere) The subject of his parents' concern; they view his determination to marry Mary as a monomania. ### [XLII: What Can You Give in Return?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xlii-what-can-you-give-in-return) Referenced as the determined and resolute suitor; Mary's letter is addressed to him, offering release from their engagement. ### [Saturday Evening and Sunday Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xliv-saturday-evening-and-sunday-morning) Sent to London to handle estate business; resists pressure from mother and friend to abandon his engagement to Mary. ### [Law Business in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xlv-law-business-in-london) Frank is in London to discuss legal matters and seeks Dr. Thorne's advice about Mary's letter, expressing his determination to marry her despite financial obstacles. ### [Our Pet Fox Finds a Tail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xlvi-our-pet-fox-finds-a-tail) Frank is present when Dr. Thorne reveals Mary's inheritance; he is initially bewildered and hesitant to inform Mary, showing concern about taking advantage of her. ### [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) Engaged to Mary Thorne, praised for marrying money and restoring family fortunes. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/frank_gresham - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters