# Nicholas Higgins — North and South character guide > Nicholas Higgins in North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Higgins, Nicholas, the Higgins, Mr. Higgins, Hood Higgins **First appearance:** 0014-xv-masters-and-men ## Snapshot A blunt, hot-tempered Milton operative whose fierce loyalty to his union and his fellow workers makes him both Thornton's adversary and, unexpectedly, his teacher. ## Who they are Higgins speaks his mind without polish and organizes his fellow hands without apology, convinced that masters and men are locked in a war that only solidarity can win. His daughter Bessy's illness and the strike's grinding poverty bring Margaret Hale into his kitchen, where his rough integrity and grief complicate her easy Southern judgments about the poor. His willingness to argue, to grieve, and eventually to seek work on terms he once despised makes him the novel's most vivid portrait of a working man whose dignity is not a matter of manners. ## Relationships ### [Margaret Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/margaret_hale) _friendship_ A cross-class friendship built on mutual respect, with Margaret championing Higgins's cause and him teaching her about working-class life. ### [John Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/john_thornton) _professional_ A complex employer-worker relationship that evolves from antagonism to mutual respect and cooperation after the strike. ### [Margaret Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/margaret_hale) _friendship_ A cross-class friendship built on mutual respect, with Margaret championing Higgins's cause and him teaching her about working-class life. ### [Margaret Hale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/margaret_hale) _friendship_ A cross-class friendship built on mutual respect, with Margaret championing Higgins's cause and him teaching her about working-class life. ### [John Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/john_thornton) _professional_ A complex employer-worker relationship that evolves from antagonism to mutual respect and cooperation after the strike. ### [John Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/john_thornton) _professional_ A complex employer-worker relationship that evolves from antagonism to mutual respect and cooperation after the strike. ## In the story ### [Home Sickness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/viii-home-sickness) A careworn workman who compliments Margaret and later introduces her to his daughter Bessy. He is wary of strangers but softens after Margaret's kindness. ### [XVII: What Is a Strike?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xvii-what-is-a-strike) Passionately defends the strike as a fight for justice, comparing it to a soldier's cause. ### [XIX: Angel Visits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xix-angel-visits) Argues with Boucher about the strike, insists on holding out for the Union, and offers to help Boucher's starving family. ### [XXVII: Fruit-Piece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxvii-fruit-piece) Mentioned as having gone out in the morning before Bessy's death; his whereabouts are unknown, and Mary fears he may turn to drink. ### [Comfort in Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxviii-comfort-in-sorrow) Grieving Bessy's death, discusses the failed strike and his skepticism about religion. ### [Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxiii-peace) Attends the funeral with his daughter, showing a mark of mourning that he had not worn for Bessy. ### [Union Not Always Strength](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxvi-union-not-always-strength) Out of work due to his refusal to pledge against supporting the Union; defends the Union's role while acknowledging its coercive nature. ### [XXXVII: Looking South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxvii-looking-south) Visits the Hales after a day of seeking work to support Boucher's family; declines Mr. Hale's offer to intercede with Thornton. ### [XXXVIII: Promises Fulfilled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxviii-promises-fulfilled) Higgins, a union leader, approaches Thornton to ask for work, leading to a tense exchange. ### [Making Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xxxix-making-friends) Higgins waits five hours to speak to Thornton and eventually receives a job offer. He and Thornton reconcile, acknowledging their mutual harsh judgments. ### [Margaret’s Flittin’](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xliii-margaret-s-flittin) Visits Margaret to express his grief over Mr. Hale's death; receives Mr. Hale's Bible and money for Boucher's children. ### [Something Wanting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/xlvii-something-wanting) Mentioned as having visited the house asking for news of Margaret, and his daughter Mary has gone to work at Thornton's mill. ### [Changes at Milton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/chapters/l-changes-at-milton) Shows sympathy for Thornton's burdens and works overtime unnoticed to help. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters/nicholas_higgins - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/north_and_south_se/characters