# Mr. Delaney — My First Summer in the Sierra character guide

> Mr. Delaney in My First Summer in the Sierra by John Muir.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0002-i-through-the-foothills-with-a-flock-of-sheep

## Snapshot

The sheep-owner who hires Muir on a hunch, promising freedom to study in exchange for a trustworthy man about camp — and then leaves the flock to fend on mutton.

## Who they are

Delaney is the practical engine of the expedition: he owns the two thousand and fifty sheep, engages the shepherd, and waves away Muir's confessed ignorance of canyons, rivers, and bears as insignificant. His one requirement is a man he can trust to see the shepherd does his duty. That trust, and his long absences while provisions run low, create the summer's quiet friction — the bread famine, the mutton monotony — and make his rare arrivals feel like verdicts on how the whole venture is going.

## Relationships

### [Billy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/characters/billy)

_professional_

Billy works under Mr. Delaney, who is the boss or owner of the sheep outfit, creating an employer-employee relationship.

### [David Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/characters/david_brown)

_professional_

David Brown and Mr. Delaney are colleagues or co-workers managing the sheep drive, with a businesslike dynamic.

### [Carlo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/characters/carlo)

_professional_

Carlo and Mr. Delaney have a work relationship, likely with Delaney as the supervisor.

### [Don Quixote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/characters/don_quixote)

_professional_

Don Quixote is a pack animal under Mr. Delaney's direction, used for transporting supplies.

### [Sandy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/characters/sandy)

_professional_

Mr. Delaney and Sandy have a work relationship, with Delaney likely in a supervisory role.

## In the story

### [My First Summer in the Sierra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/chapters/my-first-summer-in-the-sierra)

The owner of the sheep flock, who hires Muir for the herding job.

### [Through the Foothills with a Flock of Sheep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/chapters/i-through-the-foothills-with-a-flock-of-sheep)

Sheep-owner who hires Muir and accompanies the flock to the first main camp.

### [A Bread Famine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/chapters/iii-a-bread-famine)

Expected to arrive from the lowlands with provisions, but has not yet come, causing the bread famine.

### [To the High Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/chapters/iv-to-the-high-mountains)

The Don, who advises Muir about bears and leads the drive.

### [VIII: The Mono Trail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/chapters/viii-the-mono-trail)

Arrives with two new shepherds, including an Indian, and brings provisions; promises to herd temporarily.

### [Bloody Canyon and Mono Lake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/chapters/ix-bloody-canyon-and-mono-lake)

Encourages Muir to explore Bloody Canyon; described as a big-hearted Irishman who supported Muir's rambles.

### [Back to the Lowlands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/chapters/xi-back-to-the-lowlands)

Facilitated and encouraged Muir's plans all summer; predicts Muir will be famous.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/characters/mr_delaney
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_first_summer_in_the_sierra_se/characters