# Sir Roger Scatcherd — Doctor Thorne character guide

> Sir Roger Scatcherd in Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

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

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

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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.

## In the story

### [Long, Long Ago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xv-courcy)

Rival candidate in the Barchester election, supported by Mr. Closerstil and Mr. Romer.

### [The Election](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xxiv-louis-scatcherd)

Lies speechless and near death after a paralytic fit; his constitution is failing due to years of drinking.

### [XXV: Sir Roger Dies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xliii-the-race-of-scatcherd-becomes-extinct)

Mentioned as deceased; his will names Mary Thorne as heiress.

### [Law Business in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xlv-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.

## Links

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