# M. Mabeuf — Les Misérables character guide > M. Mabeuf in Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mabeuf, Father Mabeuf **First appearance:** 0032-book-iii-in-the-year-1817 ## Snapshot An old gardener and amateur botanist who has quietly sold his books and his last treasures rather than ask anyone for help. ## Who they are Once a churchwarden with a respectable income, M. Mabeuf now tends a patch of indigo and lives on almost nothing, too proud to accept the charity his neighbors offer. He is gentle, bookish, and utterly unworldly, and his friendship with Marius is one of the few uncomplicated affections in the novel. His poverty and his dignity make him the moral test case for what the coming insurrection is actually about. ## In the story ### [Volume III: Marius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/volume-iii-marius) A book collector and friend of Marius's father, who helps Marius learn about his father's past. ### [One of the Red Spectres of That Epoch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-one-of-the-red-spectres-of-that-epoch) The curé of Vernon, brother of a warden of Saint-Sulpice, who befriends Colonel Pontmercy and learns his story. ### [One of the Red Spectres of That Epoch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-one-of-the-red-spectres-of-that-epoch) The curé of Vernon and brother of a warden of Saint-Sulpice; he befriends Colonel Pontmercy and learns his history. ### [V: The Utility of Going to Mass, in Order to Become a Revolutionist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-the-utility-of-going-to-mass-in-order-to-become-a-revolutionist) The old warden who explains the significance of the chair and reveals the story of Colonel Pontmercy to Marius. ### [VI: The Consequences of Having Met a Warden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-the-consequences-of-having-met-a-warden) Provides Marius with details about Colonel Pontmercy's life, serving as a key source of information about Marius's father. ### [V: The Utility of Going to Mass, in Order to Become a Revolutionist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-the-utility-of-going-to-mass-in-order-to-become-a-revolutionist) The old warden who explains to Marius the story of his father's secret visits to mass. ### [VI: The Consequences of Having Met a Warden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-the-consequences-of-having-met-a-warden) Churchwarden who provides Marius with details about Colonel Pontmercy's life in Vernon. ### [Marius Grown Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-marius-grown-up) An elderly friend of Marius, who inadvertently helped Marius discover and love his father. Marius regards him as having 'operated on him for a cataract.' ### [IV: M. Mabeuf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-m-mabeuf) A gentle old botanist and book collector, indifferent to politics, devoted to his Flora and rare books, living in quiet poverty with his housekeeper. ### [Poverty a Good Neighbor for Misery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-poverty-a-good-neighbor-for-misery) Marius seeks out M. Mabeuf, but only twice a month at most. ### [Marius Grown Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-marius-grown-up) Marius's older friend, who inadvertently played a decisive role in Marius's political and emotional revolution by helping him discover his father. Marius credits him with 'operating on a cataract.' ### [IV: M. Mabeuf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-m-mabeuf) An elderly botanist and book collector, indifferent to politics, devoted to his Flora and old books. He lives with his housekeeper and has a gentle, childlike serenity despite financial decline. ### [Poverty a Good Neighbor for Misery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-poverty-a-good-neighbor-for-misery) Marius seeks out M. Mabeuf, but only twice a month at most. ### [Facts Whence History Springs and Which History Ignores](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-facts-whence-history-springs-and-which-history-ignores) Not directly present, but the chapter's themes of poverty and revolution connect to his character. ### [Apparition to Father Mabeuf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-apparition-to-father-mabeuf) An elderly botanist, impoverished and exhausted, who finds solace in his garden and books. He is superstitious and easily frightened. ### [IV: An Apparition to Marius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-an-apparition-to-marius) Mabeuf is mentioned as having told Éponine that Marius could be found on the boulevard, and he calls Marius 'Baron Marius.' ### [Apparition to Father Mabeuf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-apparition-to-father-mabeuf) An elderly botanist, exhausted and impoverished, tending his indigo plot and rhododendron; he is visited by a mysterious girl who waters his garden. ### [An Apparition to Marius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-an-apparition-to-marius) Mabeuf is referenced as having told Éponine that Marius could be found on the boulevard, and he calls Marius 'Baron Marius.' ### [Mother Plutarque Finds No Difficulty in Explaining a Phenomenon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-mother-plutarque-finds-no-difficulty-in-explaining-a-phenomenon) An elderly, impoverished man who cannot pay rent or buy food; he sits in his garden in despair and later finds the purse thrown by Gavroche. ### [Mother Plutarque Finds No Difficulty in Explaining a Phenomenon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-mother-plutarque-finds-no-difficulty-in-explaining-a-phenomenon) An impoverished old man resigned to his fate, Mabeuf calmly accepts his debts and lack of food, and later receives the stolen purse as if from heaven. ### [M. Mabeuf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-m-mabeuf) An elderly botanist and scholar, now destitute, selling his beloved books to survive. His dignity and childlike serenity fade as poverty deepens. ### [M. Mabeuf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-m-mabeuf) An elderly botanist and book collector, now destitute, selling his library to afford food and medicine. His dignity and innocence remain, but his spirit is crushed. ### [A Burial; An Occasion to Be Born Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-a-burial-an-occasion-to-be-born-again) Not directly present in this excerpt, but the chapter's focus on the funeral and riot sets the stage for his later involvement. ### [A Burial; An Occasion to Be Born Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-a-burial-an-occasion-to-be-born-again) The book collector and gardener, though not explicitly mentioned, is part of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine community that joins the procession. ### [IV: The Ebullitions of Former Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-the-ebullitions-of-former-days) Not directly mentioned, but the book collector's quiet world contrasts with the upheaval described. ### [IV: The Child Is Amazed at the Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-the-child-is-amazed-at-the-old-man) An unarmed old man following the group, described as an 'old duffer' by Courfeyrac. ### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-the-old-man) The old man encountered walking hatless in the rain; he insists on following the insurgents, advancing with firm step despite the chaos. ### [The Child Is Amazed at the Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-the-child-is-amazed-at-the-old-man) An unarmed old man walking with the revolutionary band, described as an 'old duffer' by Courfeyrac. ### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-the-old-man) The old man who joins the revolutionaries, walking firmly and silently despite the danger. ### [The Flag: Act Second](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-the-flag-act-second) The elderly book collector who silently joins the insurgents, takes the flag, and is killed while proclaiming the Republic. ### [Gavroche Would Have Done Better to Accept Enjolras’ Carbine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-gavroche-would-have-done-better-to-accept-enjolras-carbine) Killed; his body is carried into the taproom by six men. ### [IV: The Barrel of Powder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-the-barrel-of-powder) Mentioned as having been killed, a melancholy enigma. ### [The Flag: Act Second](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-the-flag-act-second) The elderly book collector who silently waits in the wine-shop, then ascends the barricade to wave the red flag and is shot dead. ### [Gavroche Would Have Done Better to Accept Enjolras’ Carbine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-gavroche-would-have-done-better-to-accept-enjolras-carbine) Killed; his body is carried into the taproom by six men. ### [The Barrel of Powder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-the-barrel-of-powder) His death is a catalyst for Marius's decision to join the fight. ### [What Is to Be Done in the Abyss if One Does Not Converse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-what-is-to-be-done-in-the-abyss-if-one-does-not-converse) Lies dead under a black cloth in the taproom, his bullet-ridden coat used as a flag. ### [Marius Haggard, Javert Laconic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-marius-haggard-javert-laconic) His dead body lies on a table in the taproom, referenced by Javert. ### [What Is to Be Done in the Abyss if One Does Not Converse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-what-is-to-be-done-in-the-abyss-if-one-does-not-converse) Lies dead under a black cloth in the taproom, his bullet-ridden coat used as a flag. ### [Marius Haggard, Javert Laconic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-marius-haggard-javert-laconic) His body lies on a table in the taproom, referenced by Javert as an example of a more comfortable position. ### [The Vulture Become Prey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xviii-the-vulture-become-prey) Lies dead under the table where bottles were set. ### [Foot to Foot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xxii-foot-to-foot) Lies dead under a black cloth on a table inside the wine-shop, his hand hanging near the floor. ### [The Vulture Become Prey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xviii-the-vulture-become-prey) Lying dead under the table in the wine-shop, his body present during the preparations. ### [Foot to Foot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xxii-foot-to-foot) Lies dead under a black cloth on the table; Enjolras kisses his hand. ### [VII: The Effects of Dreams Mingled with Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-the-effects-of-dreams-mingled-with-happiness) Appears in Marius's memories of the barricade, where he fell. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/characters/mabeuf - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/characters