# Frank Churchill — Emma character guide > Frank Churchill in Emma by Jane Austen. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Frank, Churchill, Mr. Frank Churchill **First appearance:** 0018-xvii ## Who they are Mr. Weston's long-absent son, a charming and flirtatious young man whose visits to Highbury depend entirely on the whims of a difficult aunt. ## Relationships ### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse) _friendship_ Emma and Frank share a flirtatious friendship, but Frank is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax, using Emma as a cover. ### [Mrs. Elton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mrs_elton) _social_ Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with Mrs. Elton trying to assert her importance over him. ### [Mr. Knightley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_knightley) _rivalry_ Frank and Mr. Knightley are polite rivals for Emma's attention, with Knightley suspicious of Frank's character. ### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse) _friendship_ Emma and Frank share a flirtatious friendship, but Frank is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax, using Emma as a cover. ### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse) _friendship_ Emma and Frank share a flirtatious friendship, but Frank is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax, using Emma as a cover. ### [Mrs. Elton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mrs_elton) _social_ Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with Mrs. Elton trying to assert her importance over him. ### [Mr. Knightley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_knightley) _rivalry_ Frank and Mr. Knightley are polite rivals for Emma's attention, with Knightley suspicious of Frank's character. ### [Mrs. Elton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mrs_elton) _social_ Frank and Mrs. Elton engage in polite social banter, with Mrs. Elton trying to assert her importance over him. ### [Mr. Knightley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_knightley) _rivalry_ Frank and Mr. Knightley are polite rivals for Emma's attention, with Knightley suspicious of Frank's character. ## In the story ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/ii) Mr. Weston's son from his first marriage, raised by the Churchills; he writes a handsome letter to Mrs. Weston and is expected to visit Highbury. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xi) Frank Churchill is mentioned as having written a polite congratulatory letter to Mrs. Weston after her marriage, but he has not yet visited Highbury. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xviii) Sends a letter excusing himself from visiting Randalls, prompting debate about his duty and independence. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xx) Jane and Frank were at Weymouth at the same time; Emma tries to learn about him from Jane but gets only vague answers. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxiii) Visits Hartfield, compliments Mrs. Weston, and expresses intention to call on Jane Fairfax. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxiv) Visits Highbury with Mrs. Weston, charms Emma with his appreciation of the village and his amiable manners, discusses the Crown Inn ballroom and his visit to the Bateses. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxv) Frank goes to London merely to have his hair cut, displaying foppery and vanity that disappoints Emma. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxvi) Frank returns from his haircut, charms Emma, and engages in playful banter, including a pointed comment about Jane Fairfax's hairstyle. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxvii) Walks with Mrs. Weston, expresses reluctance to visit the Bateses, and eventually agrees to accompany her. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxviii) Occupied with mending Mrs. Bates's spectacles; engages in pointed conversation with Jane about the pianoforte and dances, hinting at a private understanding. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxix) Proposes consulting Miss Bates, suggests expanding the dance, and secures Emma for the first two dances. ### [Chapter 23](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxx) Forced to return to Enscombe due to Mrs. Churchill's illness; shows dejection and hints at affection for Emma. ### [Chapter XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxi) Frank's letter to Mrs. Weston is read by Emma, revealing his continued interest in her and a mention of Harriet; his absence is noted as Highbury's attention shifts to the Eltons. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxvii) Visits Hartfield briefly; appears less in love but agitated, and hurries away to other calls. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxviii) Frank is present at the ball, shows restlessness and curiosity about Mrs. Elton, and displays politeness by fetching umbrellas for Miss Bates. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxxix) Rescues Harriet from the gypsies; his delayed departure from Highbury leads to the timely encounter. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xl) Implied to be the new object of Harriet's admiration; Emma wonders when 'the beginning of Mr. Churchill' will occur. ### [Chapter XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xli) Frank Churchill engages in word games with Emma and Jane Fairfax, raising Mr. Knightley's suspicions. ### [Chapter XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlii) Arrives late, complains of heat and boredom, but eventually agrees to join the Box Hill party. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xliii) Grows talkative and gay at the picnic, paying excessive attention to Emma and engaging in flirtatious banter. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xliv) Departed suddenly for Richmond after receiving a message about Mrs. Churchill; his going is discussed by Miss Bates. ### [Chapter XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlv) Mentioned in context of Mrs. Churchill's death; his potential freedom from her influence is speculated upon by Emma. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlvi) Revealed to have been secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax; obtained his uncle's consent after Mrs. Churchill's death; briefly visited Highbury. ### [Chapter XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlvii) Frank Churchill's secret engagement to Jane Fairfax is revealed, and Emma reflects on his poor behavior and the scrape he drew her into regarding Harriet. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlviii) Frank Churchill is the secret fiancé of Jane Fairfax; his engagement is now known to Mrs. Weston and Emma. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xlix) Frank Churchill's engagement to Jane Fairfax is revealed, and Mr. Knightley initially condemns him as a scoundrel before later softening. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/l) Writes a long letter to Mrs. Weston explaining his secret engagement to Jane Fairfax and apologizing for his behavior toward Emma. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/li) His letter to Mrs. Weston is read and criticized by Mr. Knightley; he confesses his secret engagement to Jane Fairfax. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/liv) Arrives at Randalls, spending the day with Jane Fairfax and the Westons. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/frank_churchill - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters