# Frederick Hale — North and South character guide > Frederick Hale in North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Master Frederick, Frederick, Frederick Hale, poor Frederick Hale, Poor Frederick, Master Fred, Fred **First appearance:** 0024-xxv-frederick ## Snapshot Margaret's beloved brother, a naval officer living in exile after a mutiny, whose secret visits home threaten the family's fragile safety. ## Who they are Frederick is the absent heart of the Hale family — the son whose disgrace drove them from Helstone and whose name cannot be spoken aloud. His mother dreams of him with terror as much as longing, and Margaret guards his secret like a lioness, ready to bolt the door against any caller. His conversion to Rome and his dangerous past make him both a scandal and a tender memory, and his rare appearances test every loyalty the family has. ## Relationships ### [Margaret Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/margaret_hale) _family_ A close sibling relationship marked by Margaret's protective love for her exiled brother and her efforts to reunite the family. ### [Mr. Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/mr_hale) _family_ A father-son relationship strained by Frederick's exile, but filled with longing and a brief, secret reunion before Mr. Hale's death. ### [Margaret Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/margaret_hale) _family_ A close sibling relationship marked by Margaret's protective love for her exiled brother and her efforts to reunite the family. ### [Mr. Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/mr_hale) _family_ A father-son relationship strained by Frederick's exile, but filled with longing and a brief, secret reunion before Mr. Hale's death. ### [Margaret Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/margaret_hale) _family_ A close sibling relationship marked by Margaret's protective love for her exiled brother and her efforts to reunite the family. ### [Mr. Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/mr_hale) _family_ A father-son relationship strained by Frederick's exile, but filled with longing and a brief, secret reunion before Mr. Hale's death. ## In the story ### [XIV: The Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xiv-the-meeting) Frederick is revealed as a fugitive living in Spain under the name Dickenson, wanted for mutiny against Captain Reid on the HMS Russell. ### [XVI: The Shadow of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xvi-the-shadow-of-death) Mentioned by Mrs. Hale in her hysterical outburst, longing for her absent firstborn son. ### [Frederick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxv-frederick) The fugitive brother whom Mrs. Hale longs to see; his safety is jeopardized by the letter Margaret sends. ### [XXIX: A Ray of Sunshine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxix-a-ray-of-sunshine) Discussed in the context of his impending secret visit, with plans to keep his presence hidden from others. ### [XXX: Home at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxx-home-at-last) Arrives unexpectedly at the Hale home, anxious about his mother's condition, and is warmly received by Margaret. ### [XXXI: “Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxi-should-auld-acquaintance-be-forgot) Frederick is deeply affected by his mother's death but forces cheerfulness. He agrees to leave Milton for safety and plans to travel to London to secure passage on a ship. ### [XXXII: Mischances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxii-mischances) Visits his family after his mother's death; overpowers Leonards and escapes by train to London. ### [Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxiii-peace) Sends a letter to Margaret explaining his delayed return to London and his decision not to return to Milton due to the risk of being tracked by Leonards. ### [False and True](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxiv-false-and-true) Frederick is absent but a source of intense worry for Margaret and Mr. Hale; his safety is uncertain after the encounter with Leonards. ### [XXXV: Expiation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxv-expiation) Writes a letter from safety, mentioning his consultation with Henry Lennox and his escape. ### [XLI: The Journey’s End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xli-the-journey-s-end) Marries Dolores Barbour; renounces England after Henry Lennox's letter dashes hopes of a court-martial clearance, but is now happy as a junior partner in a Spanish firm. ### [XLV: Not All a Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xlv-not-all-a-dream) Mentioned as the subject of the legal proceedings; now happy and secure in his wife's country. ### [XLVI: Once and Now](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xlvi-once-and-now) Mentioned as having given up hope of clearing his name and returning to England. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/frederick_hale - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters