# Henry Wilcox — Howards End character guide > Henry Wilcox in Howards End by E. M. Forster. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Wilcox, poor Henry, the old Henry **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Who they are A self-made imperial businessman who runs his family and his conscience like a ledger, valuing efficiency and 'the white man's burden' above all else. ## Relationships ### [Margaret Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/margaret_schlegel) _romantic_ Husband and wife, a marriage of convenience and affection strained by Henry's rigid conventionality and Margaret's idealism. ### [Helen Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/helen_schlegel) _rivalry_ Antagonistic relationship fueled by Helen's disdain for Henry's hypocrisy and his role in Leonard Bast's ruin. ### [Charles Wilcox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/charles_wilcox) _family_ Father and son, with Charles's deference masking a deep-seated resentment of Henry's authority. ### [Margaret Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/margaret_schlegel) _romantic_ Husband and wife, a marriage of convenience and affection strained by Henry's rigid conventionality and Margaret's idealism. ### [Helen Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/helen_schlegel) _rivalry_ Antagonistic relationship fueled by Helen's disdain for Henry's hypocrisy and his role in Leonard Bast's ruin. ### [Helen Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/helen_schlegel) _rivalry_ Antagonistic relationship fueled by Helen's disdain for Henry's hypocrisy and his role in Leonard Bast's ruin. ### [Margaret Schlegel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/margaret_schlegel) _romantic_ Husband and wife, a marriage of convenience and affection strained by Henry's rigid conventionality and Margaret's idealism. ### [Charles Wilcox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/charles_wilcox) _family_ Father and son, with Charles's deference masking a deep-seated resentment of Henry's authority. ### [Charles Wilcox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/charles_wilcox) _family_ Father and son, with Charles's deference masking a deep-seated resentment of Henry's authority. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/i) Engages in a debate with Helen about equality and women's suffrage; practices croquet and suffers from hay fever. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as reading the Times at breakfast and as part of the Wilcox family's competent, business-oriented facade. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned indirectly as part of the Wilcox family moving opposite; not directly present. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/ix) Referenced by Mrs. Wilcox as having little faith in the Continent, influencing their children. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/x) Returns early from a trip with Evie due to a motor accident, interrupts Mrs. Wilcox and Margaret at the station. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xi) Struggles with grief and the betrayal he feels from his wife's bequest; defends Margaret's honesty but ultimately agrees to destroy the note. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xii) Sends Margaret Mrs. Wilcox's silver vinaigrette and expresses hope for continued acquaintance; described as generous and launching into rubber business. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xiii) Referenced by Margaret as an example of a man who works regularly and honestly, though Tibby scoffs at the mention. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xv) Advises the sisters to tell Leonard Bast to leave the Porphyrion Fire Insurance Company immediately, citing his business knowledge. Displays a patronizing tone and discusses the family's decision against keeping Howards End. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xvi) Criticizes the Schlegels' impracticality, feels jealousy over Margaret's defense of Leonard, and later offers condescending advice. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xvii) Joins the lunch party unexpectedly, discussing social class and the supernatural with Margaret, and showing growing intimacy. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xviii) Mr. Wilcox writes a businesslike letter offering his Ducie Street house and later shows Margaret around the property. He displays an unusual emotional openness and seems to be maneuvering toward a deeper relationship. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xx) Proposes to Margaret, but his practical and businesslike manner contrasts with her emotional expectations; he discusses future plans and dismisses romance. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxi) Mentioned as the father who is marrying Margaret Schlegel and is anxious to do the decent thing. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxii) Shows his obtuseness and complacency; dismisses the Bast affair as 'the battle of life' and refuses to accept personal responsibility. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxiii) Margaret visits his office; he dictates a strong letter and discusses the tenant Bryce with Charles. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxiv) Shows Margaret around Howards End, explains the property's history, and discusses Miss Avery at teatime. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxv) Arranges the wedding with efficient management, but Margaret senses his lack of sentiment and his preference for mediocre friends. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxvi) Henry is scandalized by Jacky's revelation, breaks off the engagement, but later reconciles with Margaret after she uses diplomacy. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxvii) Discussed by Helen as an example of a 'superman' lacking the 'I'; Leonard conceals his knowledge of Henry's involvement with Jacky. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxviii) Margaret reflects on his degradation and his past with Jacky Bast; he is seen in the hall and later goes to quiet the servants. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxix) Confesses his past infidelity to Margaret, builds a new defensive fortress, and dismisses the matter as a 'man's business'. ### [Chapter XXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxx) Accused by Helen of misconduct with Mrs. Bast and of ruining Leonard Bast's life. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxi) Reveals the letting of Oniton Grange, confuses his past infidelities, and feels morally braced by marriage, valuing Margaret's submissiveness. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxii) Henry is referenced as having allowed Miss Avery to look after the house, and Margaret considers his perspective on the matter. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxiii) Mentioned as Margaret's husband; they plan to build a new home in Sussex. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxiv) Henry proposes a practical but manipulative plan to capture Helen and force her to see a doctor. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxv) Henry devises a plan to capture Helen without a scene, but his dishonesty angers Margaret. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxvi) Arrives with the doctor, demands the keys, and is shocked by the scandal; ultimately leaves after Margaret's insistence. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxviii) Refuses Helen's request to stay at Howards End, questions Margaret about Helen's seducer, and is accused of hypocrisy. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xxxix) Mentioned by Charles as 'poor pater,' the father whose family is being disgraced. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xl) Mentioned in context of Margaret's marriage and Helen's past hatred; his actions are discussed in relation to Leonard Bast. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xlii) Anxious and fretful, he sends Charles to evict Margaret and Helen, and later struggles with the consequences. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xliii) Broken after Charles's manslaughter charge and imprisonment; shambles to Margaret for support and is taken to Howards End. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/chapters/xliv) Weary and resigned, he formally bequeaths Howards End to Margaret and divides his fortune among his children, acknowledging her wish for independence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters/henry_wilcox - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/howards_end_se/characters