# Mr. Peacocke — Dr. Wortle’s School character guide > Mr. Peacocke in Dr. Wortle’s School by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Peacocke, Mister Peacocke **First appearance:** 0001-part-i-ii-the-new-usher ## Snapshot The grave, capable American usher at Bowick School, whose mysterious marriage and sudden journey to San Francisco conceal a secret that could destroy his position and his wife's name. ## Who they are Mr. Peacocke serves as Dr. Wortle's second master, a man whose quiet competence and evident sorrow have won the Doctor's trust and even his protection. He has gone to America to learn the truth about his wife's first husband, and returns with a photograph of a tombstone — a discovery that promises relief but also exposure. His loyalty to his wife, and the Doctor's loyalty to him, turn a private grief into a public test of conscience. ## Relationships ### [Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle) _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. ### [Robert Lefroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/robert_lefroy) _psychological_ Robert Lefroy is the presumed-dead first husband of Mrs. Peacocke, whose reappearance creates a psychological and moral crisis for Mr. Peacocke. ### [Mrs. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mrs_wortle) _friendship_ Mrs. Wortle shows kindness and sympathy toward Mr. Peacocke, offering him a friendly ear during his troubles. ### [Lady Anne Clifford](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/lady_anne_clifford) _social_ Lady Anne Clifford is aware of Mr. Peacocke's situation and interacts with him in a formal, socially distant manner. ### [Lord Carstairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/lord_carstairs) _professional_ Lord Carstairs is a student under Mr. Peacocke's teaching, and their relationship is that of pupil and master. ### [Mr. Puddicombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_puddicombe) _professional_ Mr. Puddicombe, as a clergyman, engages with Mr. Peacocke on the moral and religious aspects of his marriage situation. ### [The Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/the_bishop) _rivalry_ The Bishop is a figure of authority who condemns Mr. Peacocke's marital situation, creating an adversarial relationship. ### [Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle) _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. ### [Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle) _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. ### [Robert Lefroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/robert_lefroy) _psychological_ Robert Lefroy is the presumed-dead first husband of Mrs. Peacocke, whose reappearance creates a psychological and moral crisis for Mr. Peacocke. ### [Robert Lefroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/robert_lefroy) _psychological_ Robert Lefroy is the presumed-dead first husband of Mrs. Peacocke, whose reappearance creates a psychological and moral crisis for Mr. Peacocke. ### [Mrs. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mrs_wortle) _friendship_ Mrs. Wortle shows kindness and sympathy toward Mr. Peacocke, offering him a friendly ear during his troubles. ## In the story ### [The New Usher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-ii-the-new-usher) The new usher, a scholar and preacher, who maintains a deliberate social distance despite his growing friendship with Dr. Wortle. ### [The Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-mystery) The mystery of his past is revealed to the reader. He was a clergyman in America who married a woman he believed to be a widow, but her first husband reappeared, making their marriage potentially bigamous. ### [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) Receives the Doctor's note and anticipates a question about money. He acknowledges there is a story to tell, and decides to confess everything, even though it will mean leaving Bowick. ### [V: “Then We Must Go”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-v-then-we-must-go) Decides that the truth must be told to the Doctor, accepting the likely consequence of leaving Bowick. ### [Lord Carstairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-lord-carstairs) His friendship with Lord Carstairs deepens, but he is forced to decline the Earl's invitation due to his secret. He prepares to confess everything to Dr. Wortle. ### [VII: Robert Lefroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-vii-robert-lefroy) Confronted by Robert Lefroy, refuses to be blackmailed, and remains resolute in his plan to confess to Dr. Wortle. ### [VIII: The Story Is Told](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iii-viii-the-story-is-told) Tells his story to Dr. Wortle, defending his actions and expressing his resolve. ### [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) Resigned to leaving Bowick, believing it is inevitable and proper. ### [Mr. Peacocke Goes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-x-mr-peacocke-goes) Agrees to leave the school and travel to America with Robert Lefroy to find evidence about his brother's fate. He is deeply grateful to Dr. Wortle for his support and protection of his wife. ### [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) Absent, but his absence affects the school and Dr. Wortle's routine. ### [The Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-vi-the-journey) Determined to verify Ferdinand Lefroy's death, he endures the unpleasant journey with Robert Lefroy, paying expenses and resisting Lefroy's demands. ### [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) Though absent, he is the subject of the letter from New York. He has written at great length detailing his journey and the confirmation of Ferdinand Lefroy's death. He is described by Mrs. Peacocke as the most perfect of human beings. ### [Lord Bracy's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-vii-lord-bracy-s-letter) Writes to his wife from America, reporting that he has learned Lefroy died in San Francisco and believes he can obtain proof. ### [At Chicago](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-ix-at-chicago) Travels to San Francisco and Chicago to secure evidence of Ferdinand Lefroy's death and settle with Robert Lefroy. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-conclusion) His story reaches a resolution, with his character and circumstances clarified. ### [Mr. Peacocke's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-xi-mr-peacocke-s-return) Returns to Bowick after his journey to America; he is warmly greeted by the school and faces the difficult moment of reintegration. ### [XII: Mary's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-xii-mary-s-success) Mentioned as having returned to his duties and as the ostensible reason for Carstairs' visit. His story is said to be 'made all right.' ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_peacocke - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters