# Miss Jemima Stanbury — He Knew He Was Right character guide > Miss Jemima Stanbury in He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** old Miss Stanbury, Miss Stanbury, Jemima Stanbury, Jemima, dear Jemima, old Jemima **First appearance:** 0006-vii-miss-jemima-stanbury-of-exeter ## Snapshot A wealthy, autocratic Exeter spinster who rules her household and her nieces with equal imperiousness, convinced she knows what is best for everyone. ## Who they are Miss Jemima Stanbury is a woman of strong opinions, generous impulses, and an ungovernable desire to manage other people's lives. She takes in her niece Dorothy, plans her marriage to Mr. Gibson, and writes furious letters when her schemes are thwarted. Her quarrels with her brother's family and her grudging affection for her nephew Hugh make her both a comic tyrant and a genuinely formidable presence in the Exeter chapters. ## In the story ### [IV: Hugh Stanbury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/iv-hugh-stanbury) Mentioned as having drawn tight the purse strings, refusing to give money to Hugh or his family. ### [Miss Jemima Stanbury, of Exeter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/vii-miss-jemima-stanbury-of-exeter) The chapter centers on her character, detailing her strict household rules, her high social standing in Exeter, her conservative political views, and her decision to invite a niece to live with her. ### [I Know It Will Do](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/viii-i-know-it-will-do) Writes to Mrs. Stanbury offering to host Dorothy; anxiously awaits her arrival; is softened by Dorothy's plain straw hat and lack of chignon. ### [Miss Stanbury’s Generosity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xii-miss-stanbury-s-generosity) Hosts the visit of Mrs. Stanbury and Priscilla, criticizes Hugh's journalism, quarrels with Dorothy, but ultimately shows generosity by allowing Hugh to come to her house. ### [What They Said About It in the Close](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xv-what-they-said-about-it-in-the-close) Expresses strong disapproval of Mrs. Trevelyan's separation and living arrangement, calling her 'no better than she should be' and warning Dorothy about Colonel Osborne's potential visit. ### [XVI: Dartmoor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xvi-dartmoor) Receives news of Colonel Osborne's visit to the Clock House and reacts with indignation. ### [The Stanbury Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xviii-the-stanbury-correspondence) Writes an accusatory letter to Mrs. Stanbury, later discovers her error and humbly apologizes. ### [Showing How Miss Stanbury Behaved to Her Two Nieces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxii-showing-how-miss-stanbury-behaved-to-her-two-nieces) Struggles with her pride and prejudice toward her nieces, but ultimately writes a conciliatory letter to Priscilla, acknowledging her honesty. ### [Hugh Stanbury Smokes His Pipe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxv-hugh-stanbury-smokes-his-pipe) Mentioned as having written letters that upset Mrs. Stanbury; Hugh dismisses her influence. ### [Mr. Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxi-mr-brooke-burgess) Anxiously awaits Brooke Burgess's arrival, fusses over her appearance, and later pressures Dorothy to accept Mr. Gibson's proposal. ### [Priscilla's Wisdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxiv-priscilla-s-wisdom) Lies awake anxious about Dorothy's refusal, having arranged the match with Mr. Gibson and unable to comprehend Dorothy's hesitation. ### [Mr. Gibson's Good Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxv-mr-gibson-s-good-fortune) Pressures Dorothy to accept Mr. Gibson's proposal and hopes to secure Nuncombe Putney for him. ### [Miss Stanbury's Wrath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxxvi-miss-stanbury-s-wrath) Furious at Dorothy's refusal of Mr. Gibson, she scolds Dorothy and expresses her disappointment, but later agrees to a compromise allowing Dorothy to stay. ### [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) Miss Stanbury is displeased with Dorothy's refusal, scolds her, and later tells Mr. Gibson that Dorothy is in earnest. ### [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) Discussed by Mr. Gibson and the Frenches; her quarrel with Mr. Gibson and her capricious nature are central to the chapter. ### [About Fishing, and Navigation, and Headdresses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xlvii-about-fishing-and-navigation-and-headdresses) Furious about the rumor that Mr. Gibson rejected Dorothy; she struggles to keep the truth secret and threatens to publish it. ### [Mr. Gibson Is Punished](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xlviii-mr-gibson-is-punished) Divine in her wrath, she confronts the Frenches and Mr. Gibson, ultimately revealing the truth about Mr. Gibson's proposal to Dorothy. ### [Mr. Brooke Burgess After Supper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xlix-mr-brooke-burgess-after-supper) Mentioned as the aunt who had arranged for Dorothy to marry Mr. Gibson; her potential reaction to Brooke's proposal is speculated upon. ### [Camilla Triumphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/l-camilla-triumphant) Reported to be lying very ill at her house in the Close, though the connection to the French family's news is rumored. ### [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) Seriously ill with bronchitis; she alters her will and sends for Brooke Burgess. ### [Mr. Gibson's Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/liv-mr-gibson-s-threat) Lies gravely ill, too weak to resist Martha's pious ministrations, but inwardly questions deathbed piety and worldly sins. ### [LVII: Dorothy's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lvii-dorothy-s-fate) Miss Stanbury, recovering from illness, reacts with anger and disbelief upon learning of Brooke Burgess's proposal to Dorothy. She forbids the match and accuses Dorothy of deceit, causing a rift. ### [LVIII: Dorothy at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lviii-dorothy-at-home) Sends a letter to Mrs. Stanbury enclosing Brooke Burgess's opened letter; opposes the marriage and claims entitlement to open Dorothy's mail. ### [Of a Quarter of Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxvi-of-a-quarter-of-lamb) Feels desolate and solitary after Dorothy's departure; sends Martha with a quarter of lamb and a letter hinting at reconciliation. ### [The Delivery of the Lamb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxii-the-delivery-of-the-lamb) Sends the lamb and a letter as a peace-offering; expresses loneliness and a desire for Dorothy's return. ### [Dorothy Returns to Exeter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxiii-dorothy-returns-to-exeter) Initially relents and blesses Dorothy's marriage to Brooke, but upon learning Brooke is already at Nuncombe Putney without visiting her, becomes angry and feels betrayed. ### [Mrs. French’s Carving Knife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxii-mrs-french-s-carving-knife) Expresses surprise at Mr. Gibson's spirit and shows unexpected leniency toward his actions. ### [LXXXIII: Bella Victrix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxiii-bella-victrix) Comments cynically on Mr. Gibson's marriage to Bella, noting the oddness of the situation and the absence of a proper wedding. ### [Cropper and Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/lxxxviii-cropper-and-burgess) Unwell and fidgety; struggles with property decisions and expresses fear of being alone after Dorothy's marriage. ### [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) Reflects on her life, health decline, and considers leaving her home; finalizes her will. ### [Mrs. Brooke Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xcvii-mrs-brooke-burgess) Dorothy's aunt, who reflects on her broken resolutions but finds joy in Dorothy's happiness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/characters/miss_jemima_stanbury - 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