# Brooke Burgess — He Knew He Was Right character guide > Brooke Burgess in He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Brooke Burgess, Mr. Burgess, Brooke, Burgess, this Brooke Burgess **First appearance:** 0030-xxxi-mr-brooke-burgess ## Snapshot A young banker and heir-presumptive to a formidable aunt's fortune, whose quiet proposal to Dorothy Stanbury becomes entangled with questions of inheritance and obedience. ## Who they are Brooke Burgess stands to inherit Miss Stanbury's money, a fact that makes his romantic interest in the humble Dorothy both a promise and a problem. He is decent, patient, and caught between his aunt's controlling generosity and his own desire for a life she may not sanction. His suit for Dorothy — conducted in whispers and glances while Miss Stanbury lies ill — forces the novel to ask whether love can survive the machinery of inheritance. ## Relationships ### [Dorothy Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/dorothy_stanbury) _romantic_ Brooke and Dorothy are deeply in love and eventually marry, representing a central romantic plot. ### [Hugh Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/hugh_stanbury) _friendship_ Brooke and Hugh are good friends, with Brooke eventually becoming Hugh's brother-in-law through marriage to Dorothy. ### [Dorothy Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/dorothy_stanbury) _romantic_ Brooke and Dorothy are deeply in love and eventually marry, representing a central romantic plot. ### [Dorothy Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/dorothy_stanbury) _romantic_ Brooke and Dorothy are deeply in love and eventually marry, representing a central romantic plot. ### [Hugh Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/hugh_stanbury) _friendship_ Brooke and Hugh are good friends, with Brooke eventually becoming Hugh's brother-in-law through marriage to Dorothy. ### [Hugh Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/hugh_stanbury) _friendship_ Brooke and Hugh are good friends, with Brooke eventually becoming Hugh's brother-in-law through marriage to Dorothy. ## In the story ### [Mr. Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxi-mr-brooke-burgess) Arrives in Exeter, charms the dinner party guests, and openly admits to smoking, which dismays Miss Stanbury. ### [Priscilla's Wisdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxiv-priscilla-s-wisdom) Visits his uncle openly despite Miss Stanbury's gravity; his amusing conversation at dinner may have kept Mr. Gibson from speaking more. ### [Mr. Gibson's Good Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxv-mr-gibson-s-good-fortune) Visits his uncle at the bank and later discusses Mr. Gibson and the Frenches with him. ### [Miss Stanbury's Wrath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxvi-miss-stanbury-s-wrath) Leaves the house before Mr. Gibson's arrival and offers a mild opinion that young women should not be forced into marriage, which angers Miss Stanbury. ### [Miss Stanbury and Mr. Gibson Become Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xlii-miss-stanbury-and-mr-gibson-become-two) Brooke Burgess supports Dorothy's decision not to marry Mr. Gibson and quarrels with Miss Stanbury about it before leaving on a journey. ### [Brooke Burgess Takes Leave of Exeter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xliv-brooke-burgess-takes-leave-of-exeter) Takes leave of Exeter, interacts with Mr. Gibson and the Frenches, and reflects on his uncle's warnings about Miss Stanbury. ### [Mr. Brooke Burgess After Supper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xlix-mr-brooke-burgess-after-supper) Reveals his intention to propose to Dorothy Stanbury; discusses office gossip and his feelings about Mr. Gibson. ### [Showing What Happened During Miss Stanbury’s Illness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/li-showing-what-happened-during-miss-stanbury-s-illness) Summoned to Exeter; proposes to Dorothy and is accepted in principle. ### [LVII: Dorothy's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lvii-dorothy-s-fate) Brooke Burgess is mentioned as the author of the love letter to Dorothy, proposing marriage. He is Miss Stanbury's heir, and his proposal creates conflict between Dorothy and her aunt. ### [LVIII: Dorothy at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lviii-dorothy-at-home) Writes a letter to Dorothy renewing his love and determination to marry her despite Aunt Stanbury's opposition. ### [The Delivery of the Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxii-the-delivery-of-the-lamb) Visits Nuncombe Putney to see Dorothy and her family; announces his intention to marry Dorothy. ### [Dorothy Returns to Exeter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxiii-dorothy-returns-to-exeter) Mentioned as being at Nuncombe Putney and planning to visit Exeter; his actions trigger Miss Stanbury's renewed opposition. ### [The Lioness Aroused](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxiv-the-lioness-aroused) Mentioned as having visited Exeter and settled matters regarding his marriage to Dorothy Stanbury. ### [Cropper and Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxviii-cropper-and-burgess) Engaged to Dorothy; negotiates his partnership in the bank, insisting on the name 'Cropper and Burgess'. ### [I Wouldn't Do It, if I Was You](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxix-i-wouldn-t-do-it-if-i-was-you) Dorothy's fiancé; inherits Miss Stanbury's estate. ### [Mrs. Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xcvii-mrs-brooke-burgess) The groom, new partner in Cropper and Burgess, fortunate to marry Dorothy. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/brooke_burgess - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters