Doctor Thorne · Character

Sir Roger Scatcherd

A former stonemason turned railway millionaire, knighted for his fortune and slowly drinking himself to death.

supporting

Also known as Roger Scatcherd, Roger, Scatcherd, Sir Roger, the great Sir Roger Scatcherd

First appearance: i the greshams of greshamsbury

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Sir Roger Scatcherd rose from laying stone on the Barsetshire railway to owning it, and the wealth and title sit awkwardly on a man who still speaks and drinks like a laborer. He killed Henry Thorne in a drunken rage years ago, served his sentence, and now finds his sister's child, Mary, living under Dr. Thorne's roof, a fact that stirs both guilt and a rough, proprietary tenderness. His fortune and his failing health make him a figure the Greshams cannot afford to ignore, and his connection to Mary's past makes him central to her future.

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Character Web

41 connections

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Character groups

Greshamsbury Family and Associates
Servants and Close Friends
Minor Characters and Background Figures

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this excerpt, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as Sir Louis, physically and morally debilitated,…

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In the story

Sir Roger Scatcherd appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Long, Long Ago
A stonemason who rose to wealth and title; he killed Henry Thorne in revenge for seducing his sister Mary, and was imprisoned for manslaughter.
VII: The Doctor’s Garden
Referenced as Mary's uncle who never guessed her true parentage; his wealth contrasts with Dr. Thorne's poverty.
IX: Sir Roger Scatcherd
The wealthy baronet and former stonemason is ill from heavy drinking, defiantly refuses to change his habits, and threatens to call Dr. Fillgrave instead of trusting Dr. Thorne.
X: Sir Roger’s Will
Reveals his will to Dr. Thorne, expressing his desire to leave his fortune to his son Louis, with a fallback to Mary Thorne's eldest child.
When Greek Meets Greek, Then Comes the Tug of War
Recovered from his illness, he stubbornly refuses to see Dr. Fillgrave, insisting on his loyalty to Dr. Thorne.
The Two Uncles
Ill but clear-headed, he is initially hard-nosed about lending money but becomes emotionally stirred upon learning of Mary's existence, wanting to provide for her and meet her.
Courcy
Rival candidate in the Barchester election, supported by Mr. Closerstil and Mr. Romer.
The Election
Campaigns vigorously despite his drinking, wins the election by two votes, and delivers a rough but effective speech addressing his caricature.
Sir Roger Is Unseated
Loses his seat in Parliament due to a bribery petition; returns to Boxall Hill in a state of decline, drinking heavily.
Louis Scatcherd
Lies speechless and near death after a paralytic fit; his constitution is failing due to years of drinking.
XXV: Sir Roger Dies
Dies after a final, vehement warning to his son about drink; regrets his life and title.
The Race of Scatcherd Becomes Extinct
Mentioned as deceased; his will names Mary Thorne as heiress.
Law Business in London
Sir Roger's will is discussed, with Dr. Thorne's law advisers opining that Mary Thorne is his undoubted heiress, though this is not yet confirmed to Frank.

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