# Georges Pontmercy — Les Misérables character guide > Georges Pontmercy in Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** Pontmercy, Colonel Baron Pontmercy, Colonel Pontmercy **First appearance:** 0032-book-iii-in-the-year-1817 ## Who they are Marius's father, a heroic colonel under Napoleon. ## In the story ### [A Restriction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xi-a-restriction) The Bishop's brother, a general who pursued Napoleon during the Hundred Days, causing temporary harshness from the Bishop. ### [A Restriction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xi-a-restriction) The Bishop's general brother, who pursued Napoleon after the Cannes disembarkation and was harshly treated by the Bishop for a time. ### [Napoleon in a Good Humor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-napoleon-in-a-good-humor) Mentioned indirectly as part of the broader context of the Battle of Waterloo, which is central to his backstory. ### [VIII: The Emperor Puts a Question to the Guide Lacoste](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/viii-the-emperor-puts-a-question-to-the-guide-lacoste) Mentioned indirectly through the battle context; his presence at Waterloo is implied. ### [XII: The Guard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xii-the-guard) Implied as part of the French forces at Waterloo, though not explicitly named in this excerpt. ### [The Last Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xiv-the-last-square) Mentioned as part of the battle of Waterloo, though not directly present in this square. ### [The Guard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xii-the-guard) Implied as a colonel present at Waterloo, though not directly named in this excerpt. ### [XV: Cambronne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xv-cambronne) Mentioned indirectly as part of the French legions that expired on Mont-Saint-Jean. ### [Cambronne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xv-cambronne) Referenced indirectly as part of the French legions that expired on Mont-Saint-Jean. ### [The Battlefield at Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xix-the-battlefield-at-night) A wounded French officer lying among the dead in the hollow road of Ohain; he asks the prowler who won the battle and offers his watch and purse, then reveals his name. ### [The Battlefield at Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xix-the-battlefield-at-night) A French officer buried under a heap of dead and dying horses and men; rescued by Thénardier. ### [Volume III: Marius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/volume-iii-marius) Marius's deceased father, a colonel under Napoleon, whose heroic legacy and dying wish for his son to be loved deeply influence Marius's identity and actions. ### [Volume III: Marius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/volume-iii-marius) Marius's father, a colonel under Napoleon, whose legacy and dying wish deeply influence Marius. ### [Book II: The Great Bourgeois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-ii-the-great-bourgeois) Marius's father, a colonel under Napoleon, whose memory and legacy are a point of contention in the family. ### [Book II: The Great Bourgeois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-ii-the-great-bourgeois) Marius's father, a Bonapartist colonel who is despised by Gillenormand and whose name is forbidden in the household. ### [VI: In Which Magnon and Her Two Children Are Seen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-in-which-magnon-and-her-two-children-are-seen) Mentioned as the soldier who married M. Gillenormand's younger daughter, considered a disgrace by the old man. ### [Book III: The Grandfather and the Grandson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-iii-the-grandfather-and-the-grandson) Marius's father, a colonel under Napoleon, who is despised by Gillenormand but becomes a heroic figure in Marius's eyes. ### [VI: In Which Magnon and Her Two Children Are Seen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-in-which-magnon-and-her-two-children-are-seen) M. Gillenormand's son-in-law from his second daughter, a soldier of fortune who became a colonel at Waterloo, considered 'the disgrace of my family' by Gillenormand. ### [I: An Ancient Salon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-an-ancient-salon) Marius's father, referred to as 'a brigand of the Loire' and 'the disgrace of his family' by Gillenormand. ### [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 'brigand of the Loire,' a scarred veteran living in Vernon, secretly watching his son Marius from behind a pillar at Saint-Sulpice, now a gardener and friend of Abbé Mabeuf. ### [Book III: The Grandfather and the Grandson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-iii-the-grandfather-and-the-grandson) Marius's father, a colonel under Napoleon, who is exiled and dies, but whose memory and love deeply influence Marius. ### [Requiescant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-requiescant) Marius's father, toward whom Marius feels gloomy emotions, as his feelings are described as 'gloomy' in contrast to his grandfather. ### [I: An Ancient Salon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-an-ancient-salon) Referred to as the 'brigand of the Loire,' he is M. Gillenormand's son-in-law and the father of little Marius, considered the disgrace of the family. ### [End of the Brigand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-end-of-the-brigand) Dies of brain fever before Marius arrives; his tear marks his son's delay; leaves a note about his title and Thénardier. ### [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 'brigand of the Loire,' a scarred veteran living in poverty in Vernon, secretly watching his son Marius from behind a pillar at Saint-Sulpice. ### [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) Marius's father, a former colonel of Bonaparte, who secretly watched his son during mass for years, sacrificing his own presence for his son's future. ### [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) Marius learns about his father's life at Vernon, his retreat, flowers, and solitude, leading to a deep adoration and rehabilitation of his memory. ### [End of the Brigand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-end-of-the-brigand) Dies of brain fever before Marius arrives; leaves a letter asking his son to honor his title and help Thénardier. ### [Some Petticoat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-some-petticoat) Marius visits the grave of Colonel Baron Pontmercy, his father, placing flowers there. ### [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) Marius's father, who regularly came to Saint-Sulpice to watch his son from behind a pillar, but is now deceased. ### [Marble Against Granite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/viii-marble-against-granite) Marius's deceased father; his testament and honor are the central point of the argument. ### [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) Marius's deceased father, whose life and military service become the focus of Marius's research and emotional reconciliation. ### [Some Petticoat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-some-petticoat) Marius's deceased father; his grave is the true destination of Marius's journey. ### [Marble Against Granite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/viii-marble-against-granite) Marius's deceased father; his letter declaring Marius a baron and his heroic legacy are central to the conflict. ### [Marius Poor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-marius-poor) Marius's father, Colonel Pontmercy, is remembered with veneration; his dying wish and the debt of gratitude to Thénardier drive Marius's actions. ### [Marius Grown Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-marius-grown-up) Marius's deceased father, the colonel. Marius seeks to honor his memory by enduring poverty bravely, as his father was valiant in battle. ### [IV: M. Mabeuf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-m-mabeuf) Marius's father, the colonel, who shared a love of flowers with M. Mabeuf. ### [Marius Poor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-marius-poor) Marius's father, whose dying wish and memory inspire Marius's quest to find and help Thénardier. ### [Marius Grown Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-marius-grown-up) Marius's deceased father, the colonel, whose heroic life and final words ('He will be worthy of it') inspire Marius to embrace poverty and suffering as a form of expiation and honor. ### [IV: M. Mabeuf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-m-mabeuf) Marius's father, the colonel, who had a sympathy with M. Mabeuf over their shared love of flowers and fruits. ### [VII: The Old Heart and the Young Heart in the Presence of Each Other](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-the-old-heart-and-the-young-heart-in-the-presence-of-each-other) Marius's deceased father, whose portrait hangs in Gillenormand's room and is a source of reflection. ### [VII: The Old Heart and the Young Heart in the Presence of Each Other](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-the-old-heart-and-the-young-heart-in-the-presence-of-each-other) Marius's deceased father, whose portrait hangs in Gillenormand's room and is insulted during the confrontation. ### [III: The Extreme Edge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-the-extreme-edge) Marius recalls his father's heroic military career and the sword sold by his grandfather, symbolizing the weight of family honor. ### [III: The Extreme Edge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-the-extreme-edge) Marius recalls his father's heroic military career and his sword, which was sold by his grandfather. ### [II: Marius, Emerging from Civil War, Makes Ready for Domestic War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-marius-emerging-from-civil-war-makes-ready-for-domestic-war) Marius reflects on his father, Colonel Pontmercy, and the old injustice from his grandfather, which hardens his resolve. ### [Book V: Grandson and Grandfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-v-grandson-and-grandfather) Though deceased, Georges Pontmercy's memory and legacy are central to the conflict, as Marius idolizes his father's Napoleonic service against his grandfather's wishes. ### [II: Marius, Emerging from Civil War, Makes Ready for Domestic War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-marius-emerging-from-civil-war-makes-ready-for-domestic-war) Marius reflects on his father's memory, feeling that Colonel Pontmercy stands between him and his grandfather's approval. ### [Two Men Impossible to Find](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/viii-two-men-impossible-to-find) Marius's father, whose life was saved by Thénardier at Waterloo, creating a debt Marius feels compelled to repay. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/characters/pontmercy_georges - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/characters