# Mr. Outwood — Mike character guide

> Mr. Outwood in Mike by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Outwood, the matron—Comrade Outwood, old Outwood, Comrade Outwood

**First appearance:** 0032-xxxi-sedleigh

## Snapshot

A gentle, fossil-collecting Sedleigh master who treats Mike as his own special discovery and takes quiet pride in the boy's cricket.

## Who they are

Mr. Outwood is the mild, slightly absent-minded housemaster who claims credit for Mike's arrival at Sedleigh and beams over his athletic promise. His kindly, uncritical manner contrasts with the school's stricter authorities, and his faith in Mike adds warmth to the early chapters. Where other masters see a report full of failings, Outwood sees a future century-maker, and that generous misreading shapes how Mike is received.

## Relationships

### [Psmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/characters/psmith)

_professional_

Mr. Outwood is a housemaster who is often bewildered by Psmith's antics but maintains a professional role.

### [Psmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/characters/psmith)

_professional_

Mr. Outwood is a housemaster who is often bewildered by Psmith's antics but maintains a professional role.

### [Psmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/characters/psmith)

_professional_

Mr. Outwood is a housemaster who is often bewildered by Psmith's antics but maintains a professional role.

## In the story

### [XXXI: Sedleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/chapters/xxxi-sedleigh)

The housemaster at Sedleigh, a mild, bookish man who is more interested in ruined abbeys than in his new student.

### [Psmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/chapters/xxxii-psmith)

Head of the Archaeological Society, described as an 'archaeological cove' who leads expeditions.

### [Staking Out a Claim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/chapters/xxxiii-staking-out-a-claim)

The housemaster, who is easily persuaded by Psmith to allow him and Mike to keep the study and to join the Archaeological Society.

### [Guerilla Warfare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/chapters/xxxiv-guerilla-warfare)

Grants permission for Mike, Psmith, and Jellicoe to share the three-bed dormitory.

### [Unpleasantness in the Small Hours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/chapters/xxxv-unpleasantness-in-the-small-hours)

Housemaster who does his rounds at eleven but fails to hear the commotion.

### [Mike Finds Occupation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/chapters/xxxvii-mike-finds-occupation)

Leads the Archaeological Society expeditions, keeping Mike and Psmith close as faithful members.

### [Mr. Downing on the Scent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/chapters/xlvii-mr-downing-on-the-scent)

Passes on Sergeant Collard's report to Mr. Downing, helping narrow the search to his house.

### [L: The Destroyer of Evidence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/chapters/l-the-destroyer-of-evidence)

Referenced as the owner of the cupboard that Psmith refuses to let Mr. Downing break open.

### [Clearing the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/chapters/lv-clearing-the-air)

Mentioned as the archaeological master whose disciple Psmith has been.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/characters/mr_outwood
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mike_se/characters