# Ebenezer Balfour — Kidnapped character guide

> Ebenezer Balfour in Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Uncle Ebenezer, Ebenezer, Shaws, Mr. Ebenezer, Mr. Balfour of Shaws

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-i-come-to-my-journey-s-end

## Who they are

The miser of Shaws, who stares from his own doorstep like a man turned to stone when the nephew he sold to kidnappers comes home to collect.

## In the story

### [Kidnapped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/kidnapped)

David's miserly and suspicious uncle, who lives at the House of Shaws.

### [II: I Come to My Journey’s End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/ii-i-come-to-my-journey-s-end)

Appears at a window with a blunderbuss, suspicious and reluctant to admit David, but eventually lets him in after learning his identity.

### [I Make Acquaintance of My Uncle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/iii-i-make-acquaintance-of-my-uncle)

Revealed as David's miserly and secretive uncle; he locks David in a damp room and forbids him from contacting anyone.

### [IV: I Run a Great Danger in the House of Shaws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/iv-i-run-a-great-danger-in-the-house-of-shaws)

Ebenezer behaves nervously and deceitfully, feigning generosity by giving David money before sending him into a dangerous stairway without light, hoping he will fall to his death.

### [I Go to the Queen’s Ferry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/v-i-go-to-the-queen-s-ferry)

Ebenezer is cornered by David's accusations, receives a letter from Captain Hoseason, and proposes a trip to the Hawes Inn, appearing to cooperate but with hidden motives.

### [What Befell at the Queen’s Ferry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/vi-what-befell-at-the-queen-s-ferry)

Ebenezer conspires with Captain Hoseason to have David kidnapped, revealing his cruelty and greed.

### [VII: I Go to Sea in the Brig Covenant of Dysart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/vii-i-go-to-sea-in-the-brig-covenant-of-dysart)

David's wicked uncle, who arranged the kidnapping and condemned David to be sold into slavery in the Carolinas.

### [I Come to Mr. Rankeillor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxvii-i-come-to-mr-rankeillor)

Ebenezer is mentioned as having lied to Mr. Rankeillor about David's whereabouts and finances.

### [I Go in Quest of My Inheritance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxviii-i-go-in-quest-of-my-inheritance)

Ebenezer is the target of the scheme; his past selfishness and the kidnapping are central to the plan to reclaim the estate.

### [I Come Into My Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxix-i-come-into-my-kingdom)

Ebenezer is confronted by Alan and ultimately agrees to pay for David's keep and later signs a formal agreement.

### [Goodbye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxx-goodbye)

Ebenezer is glimpsed at a top window, watching David leave the House of Shaws.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/uncle_ebenezer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters