# Sir John Belmont — Evelina character guide

> Sir John Belmont in Evelina by Fanny Burney.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir John, John Belmont, Belmont

**First appearance:** 0034-letter-xxxi-lady-howard-to-sir-john-belmont-bart

## Snapshot

The father who disowns Evelina before she is born, a dissipated baronet whose cold refusal shapes her identity and her precarious place in the world.

## Who they are

Sir John Belmont is the man whose abandonment of Evelina's mother and rejection of their child hangs over the entire novel, a stranger to parental feeling who has never once inquired into his daughter's existence. His letter to Lady Howard, disclaiming Evelina with contempt and derision, wounds her more deeply than the loss of fortune itself. His refusal fixes the central question of the plot: whether the orphan can ever claim the name and justice that are rightfully hers.

## In the story

### [Letter II: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-ii-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

The profligate young man who secretly married Miss Evelyn, then denied the marriage and burned the certificate.

### [Letter III: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-iii-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Mentioned as being abroad and not expected home this year.

### [Letter IV: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-iv-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Evelina's father who has never acknowledged her and continues to disavow his marriage to Miss Evelyn.

### [Letter XXVII: Lady Howard to the Rev. Mr. Villars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxvii-lady-howard-to-the-rev-mr-villars)

Target of the proposed lawsuit; his marriage to Miss Evelyn is to be proven to secure Evelina's fortune.

### [Letter XXVIII: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxviii-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Evelina's father; Mr. Villars condemns his past villainy and opposes a direct lawsuit against him.

### [Letter XXIX: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxix-mr-villars-to-evelina)

The subject of the proposed lawsuit, against whom the cruel scheme is agitated.

### [Letter XXXI: Lady Howard to Sir John Belmont, Bart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxi-lady-howard-to-sir-john-belmont-bart)

The recipient of the letter, urged to acknowledge his daughter and clear the late Lady Belmont's name.

### [Letter XXXV: Sir John Belmont to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxv-sir-john-belmont-to-lady-howard)

Writes to Lady Howard, defending his character and responding to the proposal regarding his daughter.

### [Letter XXXVII: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxvii-mr-villars-to-evelina)

Referred to as the author of a mysterious letter containing hints that Mr. Villars cannot understand.

### [Letter XXXVIII: Mr. Villars to Lady Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-xxxviii-mr-villars-to-lady-howard)

Mentioned as the father whose return is awaited; Madame Duval wants Evelina to live in London until then.

### [Letter LXX: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxx-evelina-in-continuation)

Referred to as the father of both Mr. Macartney's beloved and Evelina, central to the revelation.

### [Letter LXXIII: Mr. Villars to Evelina](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxiii-mr-villars-to-evelina)

Mentioned as Evelina's real father; another daughter has been presented as his heiress.

### [Letter LXXIV: Lady Belmont to Sir John Belmont](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxiv-lady-belmont-to-sir-john-belmont)

The recipient of the letter, accused of betrayal and urged to recognize his child.

### [Letter LXXVIII: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxviii-evelina-in-continuation)

Initially refuses to see Evelina, but upon seeing her is overcome with emotion, exclaiming 'My God! does Caroline Evelyn still live!' and then flees the room.

### [Letter LXXIX: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxix-evelina-in-continuation)

Sir John Belmont agrees to the double marriage plan, provides a £30,000 dowry, and remains reluctant to meet Evelina directly, though he sends for Lord Orville.

### [Letter LXXX: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxx-evelina-in-continuation)

Sir John is overwhelmed with remorse and grief upon seeing Evelina, but eventually blesses her and agrees to the marriage.

### [Letter LXXXI: Evelina in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/chapters/letter-lxxxi-evelina-in-continuation)

Sends his love, assurances of favour, and a gift of a thousand pounds to Evelina.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters/sir_john_belmont
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/evelina_se/characters