# Robert Martin — Emma character guide

> Robert Martin in Emma by Jane Austen.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Martin, Robert, the Mr. Martin, young Martin

**First appearance:** 0004-iii

## Snapshot

A sensible, well-spoken farmer at Abbey-Mill Farm whose honest attachment to Harriet Smith becomes the quiet test of Emma's meddling and Mr. Knightley's good judgment.

## Who they are

Robert Martin is a young man of substance in Highbury's farming world — respectable, literate, and steady, with a sister who befriends Harriet Smith. His proposal to Harriet is sincere and unpretentious, but Emma dismisses him as too coarse for her protégée, setting in motion the novel's central argument about rank, worth, and self-deception. He matters because his suit forces everyone to ask what a good match actually looks like.

## Relationships

### [Harriet Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/harriet_smith)

_romantic_

Harriet initially rejects Robert Martin due to Emma's influence, but later realizes her true feelings and marries him.

### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse)

_social_

Emma views Robert Martin as a respectable farmer but initially discourages his suit for Harriet due to class prejudice.

### [Mr. Knightley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_knightley)

_friendship_

Mr. Knightley respects Robert Martin as a hardworking, honest farmer and encourages his suit for Harriet.

### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse)

_social_

Emma views Robert Martin as a respectable farmer but initially discourages his suit for Harriet due to class prejudice.

### [Harriet Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/harriet_smith)

_romantic_

Harriet initially rejects Robert Martin due to Emma's influence, but later realizes her true feelings and marries him.

### [Mr. Knightley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/mr_knightley)

_friendship_

Mr. Knightley respects Robert Martin as a hardworking, honest farmer and encourages his suit for Harriet.

### [Emma Woodhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/emma_woodhouse)

_social_

Emma views Robert Martin as a respectable farmer but initially discourages his suit for Harriet due to class prejudice.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned as a kind, obliging young farmer who brought Harriet walnuts and sang to her; Emma considers him beneath Harriet's notice.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/vii)

Proposes to Harriet via a letter, which Emma criticizes as beneath Harriet's station.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/viii)

Mentioned as the rejected suitor; Mr. Knightley defends his character and manners.

### [Chapter XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/xxii)

Robert Martin and his family are mentioned as Harriet considers returning a visit to the Martins.

### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/liv)

Proposes to Harriet Smith and is accepted; informs Mr. Knightley of the engagement.

### [Chapter LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/chapters/lv)

Robert Martin is now introduced at Hartfield and is acknowledged by Emma as a man of sense and worth. He marries Harriet Smith.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters/robert_martin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emma_se/characters