# Harry Baker — Doctor Thorne character guide

> Harry Baker in Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Baker, Harry, young Harry Baker

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-greshams-of-greshamsbury

## Snapshot

A young squire of Barsetshire, Frank Gresham's friend and Beatrice's suitor, whose easy standing rests on land rather than rank.

## Who they are

Harry Baker belongs to the county set that gathers at Greshamsbury and Courcy Castle, a young man of property who moves on comfortable terms with the local families. His courtship of Beatrice Gresham places him squarely in the marriage market that Lady Arabella manages so anxiously, and his fortunes are bound up with the Greshams' need for money and connection. He matters as one of the plausible, unspectacular futures the Gresham daughters might choose.

## In the story

### [Frank Gresham's First Speech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/v-frank-gresham-s-first-speech)

Friend of Frank, teased by Frank during the speech; mentioned as having been 'plucked' at Cambridge.

### [Saturday Evening and Sunday Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xliv-saturday-evening-and-sunday-morning)

Advises Frank against the marriage, citing the financial mess of the Gresham estate and the impracticality of the match.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters/harry_baker
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/characters