# George Semphill — Hadrian the Seventh character guide

> George Semphill in Hadrian the Seventh by Frederick Rolfe.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. George Semphill, Semphill, Mr. Semphill, Cardinal Semphill, Δ. Semphill

**First appearance:** 0005-ii

## Snapshot

An Oxford-educated priest with a small patrimony and a dry wit, raised unexpectedly to the cardinal-diaconate by Hadrian's first consistory.

## Who they are

Semphill had quietly arranged his will in favour of the archdiocese of St. Gowff's, expecting to end his days there in comfortable obscurity, when the new Pope's allocution — with its 'tops-i'-th'-turfy straightforwardness' — delighted him and upended his plans. His sincere pleasure in Hadrian's literary quality and blunt honesty marks him as one of the few cardinals who appreciates the Pope as a person rather than merely obeying him as an office. As a cardinal-deacon of St. Mary-in-Broad Street, he becomes part of the inner circle that must translate Hadrian's startling intentions into the Church's daily machinery.

## Relationships

### [George Arthur Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/george_arthur_rose)

_family_

Brothers with a strained relationship, often at odds due to differing temperaments and loyalties.

### [Pope Leo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/pope_leo)

_professional_

Allies in Church politics, working together to maintain traditional power structures.

### [Victor Emanuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/victor_emanuel)

_professional_

A political alliance, with Semphill serving as a confidant or agent for Victor Emanuel.

### [Victor Emanuel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/victor_emanuel)

_professional_

A political alliance, with Semphill serving as a confidant or agent for Victor Emanuel.

### [Pope Leo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/pope_leo)

_professional_

Allies in Church politics, working together to maintain traditional power structures.

### [George Arthur Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/george_arthur_rose)

_family_

Brothers with a strained relationship, often at odds due to differing temperaments and loyalties.

### [Pope Leo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/pope_leo)

_professional_

Allies in Church politics, working together to maintain traditional power structures.

## In the story

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

Asserts that if the temporal power is worth having, it is worth fighting for, citing General Lord Ralph Kerrison's offer to enlist in the pontifical army.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/x)

Argues with Carvale for the imposition of the Proper Office of Mary Queen of Scots on England, presenting historical claims.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xiii)

Accompanies Hadrian on a walk, discusses literature, and entertains embassy secretaries.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xvii)

Red with impatient indignation over the attack.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xx)

Threatens to send an authentic copy of consistory acts to newspapers.

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

Interjects nervously during Hadrian's statement, expressing belief in his words.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/george_semphill
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters