# Lord Frederick Verisopht — Nicholas Nickleby character guide

> Lord Frederick Verisopht in Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Richard, Lord Frederick, Verisopht, Alfred

**First appearance:** 0019-xvii

## Snapshot

A young nobleman with a title, a stammer, and no judgment, trailing after Sir Mulberry Hawk into behaviour he is too weak to question or stop.

## Who they are

Lord Frederick Verisopht is rich, idle, and easily led, spending his days in the orbit of Sir Mulberry Hawk, who flatters and steers him for his own amusement. His infatuation with Kate Nickleby is less malice than vanity and weakness, but it makes him a tool in a game far crueller than he understands. He matters because he shows how rank without character can be as dangerous as open villainy, and because his fate shadows the novel's moral accounting.

## In the story

### [Descriptive of a Dinner at Mr. Ralph Nickleby's, and of the manner in which the company entertained themselves, before dinner, at dinner, and after dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xix)

A young nobleman among the guests, stares at Kate with surprise and makes dismissive comments.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxvi)

Pressures Ralph for Kate's address, intending to pursue her secretly behind Sir Mulberry's back, and joins in escorting Mrs. Nickleby.

### [Mrs. Nickleby Becomes Acquainted with Messrs. Pyke and Pluck, Whose Affection and Interest Are Beyond All Bounds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxvii)

Present at the theater, he is left to talk with Mrs. Wititterly while Sir Mulberry escorts Kate.

### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxviii)

Defends Nicholas and Kate Nickleby with unusual vehemence, condemning cowardly attacks and asserting Kate's virtue.

### [Mr. Ralph Nickleby cuts an old acquaintance. It would also appear from the contents hereof, that a joke, even between husband and wife, may be sometimes carried too far.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xliv)

Lord Frederick has also left for France, accompanying Sir Mulberry.

### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/l)

Shows signs of remorse and conflict, questioning Sir Mulberry's plans and reflecting on his wasted life.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/lord_frederick_verisopht
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters