# Newman Noggs — Nicholas Nickleby character guide > Newman Noggs in Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Noggs, Mr. Noggs, Mr. Newman Noggs **First appearance:** 0003-i ## Snapshot Ralph Nickleby's ragged, drink-sodden clerk, who once knew better days and secretly works against his master to help Nicholas. ## Who they are Newman Noggs scratches out Ralph's correspondence from a butler's pantry, his coat rusty, his nose red, his face twisted into expressions no one can read. He was once a gentleman of some means, and his fall has left him with nothing but a stubborn loyalty to the memory of Ralph's dead brother and a fierce sympathy for the man's children. He is the novel's quiet double agent, passing warnings and small kindnesses under his employer's nose, and his cracked dignity is one of Dickens's most affecting creations. ## Relationships ### [Ralph Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/ralph_nickleby) _professional_ Noggs is Ralph's downtrodden clerk, secretly working against his employer's schemes. ### [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/nicholas_nickleby) _friendship_ Noggs becomes Nicholas's loyal and secret ally, helping him thwart Ralph's plans. ### [Ralph Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/ralph_nickleby) _professional_ Noggs is Ralph's downtrodden clerk, secretly working against his employer's schemes. ### [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/nicholas_nickleby) _friendship_ Noggs becomes Nicholas's loyal and secret ally, helping him thwart Ralph's plans. ### [Nicholas Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/nicholas_nickleby) _friendship_ Noggs becomes Nicholas's loyal and secret ally, helping him thwart Ralph's plans. ### [Ralph Nickleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/ralph_nickleby) _professional_ Noggs is Ralph's downtrodden clerk, secretly working against his employer's schemes. ## In the story ### [Of Mr. Ralph Nickleby, and his establishments, and his undertakings, and of a great joint stock company of vast national importance.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/ii) Ralph's clerk, a fallen gentleman who once kept horses and hounds, now impoverished and eccentric. ### [Mr. Ralph Nickleby receives sad tidings of his brother, but bears up nobly against the intelligence communicated to him. The reader is informed how he liked Nicholas, who is herein introduced, and how kindly he proposed to make his fortune at once.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/iii) Delivers the letter announcing Godfrey Nickleby's death to Ralph; shows subtle signs of sympathy for the Nickleby family. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/iv) Ralph's clerk, who silently scrutinizes Nicholas when he delivers a parcel. ### [Mr. and Mrs. Squeers at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned through a mysterious letter that falls from Nicholas's coat, offering shelter in London if needed. ### [Newman Noggs inducts Mrs. and Miss Nickleby into their new dwelling in the city](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xi) Assists the move with quiet efficiency, lies about having seen Nicholas off, and displays a gentlemanly demeanor beneath his shabby appearance. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xiv) Present at the Kenwigs' party, preparing punch and enjoying the spirits; later seen in his garret lodging. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xv) Provides shelter and food for Nicholas and Smike; reluctantly reveals the letter from Squeers; expresses pride in Nicholas's actions. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xvi) Visits Nicholas at his new lodgings and relays the tutoring proposition from Mrs. Kenwigs. ### [Nicholas, accompanied by Smike, sallies forth to seek his fortune. He encounters Mr. Vincent Crummles; and who he was, is herein made manifest.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxii) Walks part of the way with Nicholas and Smike, providing a can of rum and milk for their journey and expressing concern about Nicholas's plans. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxvi) Briefly appears answering the door at Ralph's office, departing from custom for a private reason upon seeing the visitor. ### [Of the proceedings of Nicholas, and certain internal divisions in the company of Mr. Vincent Crummles.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxix) Returns the ten pounds sent by Nicholas and writes a cryptic letter hinting that Kate may soon need her brother's protection. ### [Nicholas Takes His Leave of the Theatre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxx) Sends a letter urging Nicholas to return to London immediately. ### [Of Ralph Nickleby and Newman Noggs, and some wise precautions, the success or failure of which will appear in the sequel.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxi) Newman observes Ralph closely, then visits Miss La Creevy to coordinate a plan to protect Kate from Ralph's machinations. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxii) Not present when Nicholas arrives, but has prepared his room and left word for him. ### [In which Mr. Ralph Nickleby is relieved, by a very expeditious process, from all commerce with his relations.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxiii) Anxiously awaits Nicholas, tends his wounds with excessive vigor, and delivers the letter to Ralph with barely concealed glee. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xxxiv) Newman admits Mantalini and Squeers, and reacts with cryptic outbursts to Squeers's boasts. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xl) Arranges the secret interview for Nicholas; guides him through the area and helps him escape when Mr. Bobster arrives. ### [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) Newman delivers news to Ralph that Sir Mulberry Hawk has left for France, taking pleasure in Ralph's annoyance. ### [Mr. Ralph Nickleby has some confidential intercourse with another old friend. They concert between them a project, which promises well for both.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/xlvii) Grumbles about Ralph's delays and hides in a closet to avoid being detained, overhearing the conversation between Ralph and Gride. ### [Chapter LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/li) Delivers Ralph's letter to Gride, reads it secretly, and later reveals the plot to Nicholas. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lii) Urges Nicholas to keep hope and act, then witnesses the Kenwigses' domestic drama. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lvi) Briefly mentioned as Ralph's clerk, who is kept in the dark about the plot. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lix) Reveals his secret surveillance of Ralph and his role in uncovering the conspiracy; delivers an impassioned accusation. ### [LX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lx) Mentioned as the clerk who was approached by Brooker to learn about the ongoing events. ### [Ralph Makes One Last Appointment—and Keeps It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lxii) Newman is implied as part of the network of those who have turned against Ralph. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/chapters/lxv) Lives in a cottage near Nicholas's house, becomes a childlike master of revels to the children, dearly loved by all. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters/newman_noggs - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nicholas_nickleby_se/characters