# Camden Farebrother — Middlemarch character guide > Camden Farebrother in Middlemarch by George Eliot. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Farebrother, Farebrother, The Rev. Camden Farebrother, Camden **First appearance:** 0017-xiii ## Snapshot A good-humored vicar who lives among old furniture and three doting women, and whose quiet intelligence makes him Lydgate's most valuable friend in Middlemarch. ## Who they are Farebrother presides over an old stone parsonage stuffed with his father's and grandfather's relics, where his white-haired mother steers every conversation and his tiny aunt Miss Noble smuggles sugar into a basket for poor children. He seems milder at home than in company, a bachelor who keeps his wit and his naturalist's curiosity mostly to himself. As Lydgate's friend and confidant, he offers the novel a rare figure of unforced decency, someone whose modest circumstances never sour his generosity. ## Relationships ### [Tertius Lydgate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/tertius_lydgate) _friendship_ Farebrother is a kind clergyman and naturalist who becomes Lydgate's loyal friend and supporter in Middlemarch. ### [Tertius Lydgate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/tertius_lydgate) _friendship_ Farebrother is a kind clergyman and naturalist who becomes Lydgate's loyal friend and supporter in Middlemarch. ### [Tertius Lydgate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/tertius_lydgate) _friendship_ Farebrother is a kind clergyman and naturalist who becomes Lydgate's loyal friend and supporter in Middlemarch. ## In the story ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xvi) Mentioned briefly as an anomaly among clergymen, in Lydgate's thoughts about the difficulty of combining intellectual life with parish work. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xvii) Hosts Lydgate; reveals his passion for natural history, his awareness of being a 'makeshift' clergyman, and his opposition to Bulstrode's clique while acknowledging Bulstrode's usefulness. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xviii) Lydgate's friend and the Vicar of St. Botolph's, whose gambling for money and non-clerical pursuits create a moral dilemma for Lydgate. ### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xxxvi) Visits Lydgate to examine pond specimens; teases him about marriage and chaos. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xl) Visits the Garths to convey Fred's message about his debt and plans; discusses Fred's future and quotes Mary's remark about clergymen. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/xlv) Advises Lydgate to keep his distance from Bulstrode and avoid financial trouble; warns him about town gossip. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/l) Recommended by Lydgate as a worthy candidate for the Lowick living, noted for his preaching and character despite his card-playing. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lii) Rejoices with his family over the Lowick living, then acts as an intermediary for Fred Vincy, consulting Mary Garth about Fred's future. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lvii) Mr. Farebrother is mentioned as a potential rival for Mary's affections, though he is not present in the chapter. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lix) Mr. Farebrother is noted for knowing the fact about the codicil but not revealing it. ### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxiii) Observant and kind, he notices Lydgate's marital strain and Fred's jealousy. He shows admiration for Mary Garth and tries to offer Lydgate a friendly ear. ### [Chapter LXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxiv) Lydgate speaks with him, attempting to maintain a cynical facade about money. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxvi) Mr. Farebrother confronts Fred about his return to gambling, confessing his own temptation to let Fred fail but choosing honesty and friendship over his romantic interest in Mary Garth. ### [Chapter LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxx) Farebrother visits Lydgate out of concern, having heard about the execution, and is relieved to learn the debt is paid. ### [LXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxi) Farebrother discusses the scandal with Mr. Hawley and later with Mr. Brooke, showing concern for Lydgate's reputation and the town's judgment. ### [LXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxii) Advises caution in approaching Lydgate, but is nearly converted by Dorothea's ardor. ### [LXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxvi) Mentioned by Dorothea as someone who would believe her account of Lydgate's innocence. ### [LXXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxx) Hosts Dorothea for dinner; perceptively notices her distress and escorts her home. ### [LXXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/chapters/lxxxiv) Defends Dorothea's choice as imprudent but not wrong, and gently rebukes Sir James for condemning it based on personal discomfort. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters/camden_farebrother - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/middlemarch_se/characters