# Dr. Wortle — Dr. Wortle’s School character guide > Dr. Wortle in Dr. Wortle’s School by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Jeffrey Wortle, Mr. Wortle, Doctor Wortle, the Doctor **First appearance:** 0000-part-i-i-dr-wortle ## Snapshot A domineering but generous clergyman-headmaster who has built Bowick School into a thriving preparatory establishment, and who will risk his reputation to shelter a mysterious usher and his wife. ## Who they are Rector of Bowick and proprietor of a school for thirty boys at £200 a year, Dr. Wortle is a man who likes to be master, likes his justice recognized, and has quarrelled with three successive bishops without losing an ounce of self-esteem. He is an affectionate tyrant at home and abroad, and when the Peacockes' hidden past threatens scandal, he must decide whether to protect them or preserve the school he has spent twenty years building. His stubborn integrity — and his willingness to fight — sets the moral stakes of the entire novel. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Peacocke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_peacocke) _professional_ Dr. Wortle is the headmaster and employer of Mr. Peacocke, but he also becomes a loyal friend and defender when Peacocke's secret past is revealed. ### [The Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/the_bishop) _rivalry_ Dr. Wortle clashes with the Bishop over the scandal surrounding Mr. Peacocke, with the Bishop pressuring him to dismiss Peacocke. ### [Mrs. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mrs_wortle) _family_ Dr. Wortle and Mrs. Wortle are a devoted married couple, with Mrs. Wortle providing quiet support and moral grounding to her husband. ### [Mr. Puddicombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_puddicombe) _professional_ Mr. Puddicombe is a clergyman and advisor who debates Dr. Wortle on the ethical and canonical issues of the Peacocke affair. ### [Lady Anne Clifford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/lady_anne_clifford) _social_ Lady Anne Clifford is a wealthy and influential neighbor who interacts with Dr. Wortle in social and community contexts. ### [Lord Carstairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/lord_carstairs) _professional_ Lord Carstairs is a pupil at Dr. Wortle's school, and their relationship is that of headmaster and student, though with mutual respect. ### [Mary Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mary_wortle) _family_ Dr. Wortle is a caring and protective father to his daughter Mary, who is his pride and joy. ### [Robert Lefroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/robert_lefroy) _rivalry_ Dr. Wortle sees Robert Lefroy as a threat to the reputation of his school and to Mr. Peacocke's position, and he opposes him. ### [Mr. Peacocke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_peacocke) _professional_ Dr. Wortle is the headmaster and employer of Mr. Peacocke, but he also becomes a loyal friend and defender when Peacocke's secret past is revealed. ### [The Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/the_bishop) _rivalry_ Dr. Wortle clashes with the Bishop over the scandal surrounding Mr. Peacocke, with the Bishop pressuring him to dismiss Peacocke. ### [Mr. Peacocke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_peacocke) _professional_ Dr. Wortle is the headmaster and employer of Mr. Peacocke, but he also becomes a loyal friend and defender when Peacocke's secret past is revealed. ### [Mr. Puddicombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_puddicombe) _professional_ Mr. Puddicombe is a clergyman and advisor who debates Dr. Wortle on the ethical and canonical issues of the Peacocke affair. ## In the story ### [I: Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-i-dr-wortle) The protagonist, a successful and domineering rector and schoolmaster, known for his independence and generosity. ### [The New Usher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-new-usher) The headmaster, who becomes intimate with Mr. Peacocke and is frustrated by the Peacockes' refusal to socialize, yet trusts him implicitly. ### [The Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-mystery) Feels pressured by the Bishop and Mrs. Stantiloup's rumors to question Mr. Peacocke about his past, but postpones the task due to his respect for the man and his own dread of the conversation. ### [IV: The Doctor Asks His Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-the-doctor-asks-his-question) Repents of his promise to the Bishop, disliking the intrusion into Mr. Peacocke's private affairs. He resolves to ask the question but leave the decision to answer to Mr. Peacocke. ### [V: “Then We Must Go”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-v-then-we-must-go) Struggles with his duty to the school versus his loyalty to Mr. Peacocke; maintains outward calm while internally anxious. ### [Lord Carstairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-lord-carstairs) He is pleased with Lord Carstairs's progress and supports the Earl's invitation, but senses that Mr. Peacocke's refusal signals an impending revelation. ### [VII: Robert Lefroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-vii-robert-lefroy) Mentioned as the school's owner and the person to whom Lefroy intends to tell his story. ### [VIII: The Story Is Told](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-viii-the-story-is-told) Confronts Mr. Peacocke, demanding the true story and showing his authority and concern. ### [IX: Mrs. Wortle and Mr. Puddicombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-ix-mrs-wortle-and-mr-puddicombe) Torn between his sympathy for Mr. Peacocke and his duty to his parish and school; decides to consult Mr. Puddicombe. ### [Mr. Peacocke Goes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-x-mr-peacocke-goes) Despite his initial anger, he is convinced by the arguments of his wife and Mr. Puddicombe that Mr. Peacocke must go. He secretly hopes that Ferdinand Lefroy is dead and devises a plan for Mr. Peacocke to travel to America to find evidence. He provides the money for the journey. ### [The Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-xi-the-bishop) Defends his decision to let Mrs. Peacocke stay, tells the Bishop the story, and reacts angrily to Lady Margaret's hints. ### [I: Mr. Puddicombe’s Boot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-i-mr-puddicombe-s-boot) Furious about the newspaper article, consults Mr. Puddicombe, and later visits Mrs. Peacocke to reassure her. ### [Everybody's Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-ii-everybody-s-business) Furious about the libelous article and the Bishop's letter, he threatens legal action and demands the Bishop name the newspaper. ### [III: “Amo in the Cool of the Evening”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-iii-amo-in-the-cool-of-the-evening) Consults lawyers, considers legal action, and wrestles with his anger toward the Bishop. ### [IV: “It Is Impossible”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-iv-it-is-impossible) Initially amused by the news, he acknowledges the impossibility of the match but shows a father's pride in his daughter's worth. ### [VII: “Nobody Has Condemned You Here”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-vii-nobody-has-condemned-you-here) Shows his wife a letter from a nobleman withdrawing his sons from the school, indicating the damage to the school's reputation. He confides his fear that the school will fail and that he may have to close it, which makes him very unhappy. ### [Lord Bracy's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-vii-lord-bracy-s-letter) Receives Lord Bracy's letter about Carstairs' affection for Mary; discusses the potential engagement with his wife and then with Mary, showing cautious optimism. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-conclusion) The central figure whose actions and decisions have driven the plot; his integrity and conscience are ultimately vindicated. ### [X: The Doctor’s Answer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-x-the-doctor-s-answer) Decides to accept Lord Bracy's proposal and writes a letter expressing his willingness despite the acknowledged dangers. ### [Mr. Peacocke's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-xi-mr-peacocke-s-return) His spirits are buoyed by Mary's engagement; he energetically arranges Mr. Peacocke's return and remarriage, and burns his defensive letters after Puddicombe's counsel. ### [XII: Mary's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-xii-mary-s-success) Accepts Carstairs' visit and later reflects on the Peacockes' return and the palace dinner, showing a pragmatic and forgiving nature. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters