# Cardinal Manning — Eminent Victorians character guide > Cardinal Manning in Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Henry Edward Manning, Manning, Archdeacon Manning, Archbishop Manning, Dr. Manning **First appearance:** 0003-cardinal-manning ## Snapshot A gaunt, smiling ascetic who glided from Anglican archdeacon to Catholic prince of the Church, winning by art what he could never win by force. ## Who they are Manning is the ecclesiastical operator of the Victorian age, a man whose practical genius for intrigue and self-advancement carried him from a wealthy West Indian merchant's son to the Archbishop of Westminster. His long rivalry with Newman, his conversion, and his talent for appearing at the front of every procession make him a study in ambition dressed as piety. Strachey watches him closely, amused and appalled, as the Middle Ages seem to revive in a nineteenth-century Englishman. ## Relationships ### [John Henry Newman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/characters/john_henry_newman) _rivalry_ Cardinal Manning and John Henry Newman were bitter rivals within the Catholic Church, clashing over theology, authority, and personal ambition. ### [Cardinal Wiseman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/characters/cardinal_wiseman) _professional_ Cardinal Manning and Cardinal Wiseman worked together in the Catholic hierarchy, with Wiseman as Manning's superior and later supporter. ### [John Henry Newman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/characters/john_henry_newman) _rivalry_ Cardinal Manning and John Henry Newman were bitter rivals within the Catholic Church, clashing over theology, authority, and personal ambition. ### [John Henry Newman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/characters/john_henry_newman) _rivalry_ Cardinal Manning and John Henry Newman were bitter rivals within the Catholic Church, clashing over theology, authority, and personal ambition. ### [Cardinal Wiseman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/characters/cardinal_wiseman) _professional_ Cardinal Manning and Cardinal Wiseman worked together in the Catholic hierarchy, with Wiseman as Manning's superior and later supporter. ## In the story ### [Eminent Victorians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/eminent-victorians) One of the four subjects of the biographical study, representing the religious and ecclesiastical sphere. ### [Cardinal Manning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/cardinal-manning) The central figure of the chapter, described as a tall gaunt figure with a face of smiling asceticism, a practical ecclesiastic who revived the medieval clerical tradition in the nineteenth century. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/i) The subject of the chapter; his early life, character, and formative experiences are detailed. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/ii) The chapter sets the stage for Manning's later involvement by describing the Oxford Movement that began during his early curacy. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/iii) Manning, a young rector, is drawn to the Oxford Movement, corresponds with Newman, translates works for Pusey, and engages in secret confessional work while carefully managing his public relationships. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/iv) Manning is the central figure; he resigns his Anglican benefice, is received into the Roman Catholic Church, and is shown wrestling with ambition and spiritual doubt. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/v) Manning converts to Roman Catholicism, is placed in the Accademia Ecclesiastica, becomes head of the Oblates of St. Charles and Provost of the Chapter of Westminster, and becomes a central figure in the struggle with the Old Catholics. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/vi) Newly appointed to the See of Westminster, Manning uses his power to block Newman's Oxford Oratory scheme, acting with autocratic determination. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/vii) Central figure in the chapter; actively works to secure a definition of Papal Infallibility at the Vatican Council, engages in diplomacy, and corresponds with Gladstone. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/viii) Made a Cardinal in 1875; described as an old man with an austere ascetic appearance; active in diocese, social work, and public affairs; member of the Metaphysical Society; delivered lectures on prophecy and the Antichrist. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/ix) Declines suggestion to become Pope, delays Newman's cardinalate recommendation, and prematurely announces Newman's refusal in the Times. ### [Manning's Final Years and Legacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/x) Manning is depicted in his final years, working tirelessly, reflecting on his life, and ultimately dying in 1892. ### [Bibliography](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/bibliography) Subject of several listed biographies. ### [Florence Nightingale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/florence-nightingale) Mentioned in contrast to Nightingale, representing a different kind of spiritual and practical engagement with the world. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/characters/cardinal_manning - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/eminent_victorians_se/characters