# Frederick Lawson — Of Human Bondage character guide > Frederick Lawson in Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Lawson, Lawson **First appearance:** 0027-xxviii ## Snapshot A cheerful, prolific painter in the Paris studios whose easy love affairs and callous good humor quietly expose the limits of Philip's own romantic seriousness. ## Who they are Lawson is the sociable center of the Paris art set, forever sketching music-halls, chasing models, and talking up the genius of others. His affair with Ruth Chalice ends without a pang—except for the portrait left unfinished—and his breezy verdict on the dying Cronshaw ('he was a rotter, bound to end in the gutter') wounds Philip by its refusal to see tragedy. Through Lawson, Philip learns how lightly some men carry what he cannot put down. ## In the story ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xl) Mentioned as one of the students at Gravier's restaurant during lunch. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xli) Lawson passionately defends Manet's Olympia and argues about art with the others. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xlii) Lawson introduces Philip to Cronshaw and the artistic milieu of the Quarter, showing impatience with Cronshaw's slow start. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xliii) Lawson dismisses Fanny Price as an 'ill-tempered slut' and avoids Foinet's critiques. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xliv) Struggles to find a mistress in Paris, envies Flanagan's success, and chaffs Philip about Fanny Price. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xlv) Influenced by Cronshaw's ideas; describes Cronshaw's filthy apartment and mistress with relish. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xlvi) Lawson suggests sharing a studio and teaches Philip, provoking Fanny Price's jealousy. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xlvii) Lawson is in a relationship with Ruth Chalice; his paintings are accepted at the Salon, and he co-hosts a party with Philip. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xlviii) Lawson paints a portrait of Miss Chalice and receives criticism from Clutton. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xlix) Attends Fanny Price's funeral. ### [The Doubt of a Painter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/l) Lawson's instinctive appreciation of art contrasts with Philip's intellectual approach, and his success at the Salon deepens Philip's insecurity. ### [LXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxv) Now living in London, shares news of Paris friends, his affair with Ruth Chalice, and Cronshaw's decline. Gives Philip Cronshaw's Persian rug. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxvi) Arranges a luncheon-party where Philip meets Norah Nesbit. ### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxvii) Spends summer at Poole, shows sketches, and joins Philip and Hayward at the tavern. ### [LXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxviii) Recognizes Griffiths's charm and is eager to paint him. ### [LXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxii) Mentioned as a friend in Paris whom Philip plans to visit with Mildred. ### [LXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxvii) Mentioned as being abroad; Philip cannot find him. ### [LXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxix) Lawson visits Philip's new rooms and mentions running into Norah, prompting Philip to seek her out. ### [LXXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxxii) Writes to Philip about Cronshaw's situation and Paris news. ### [LXXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/lxxxv) Sends a wreath for Cronshaw's funeral but does not attend. ### [XCII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcii) Also at the tavern, profited from the stock tip, pleased with his recent success as a portrait painter. ### [XCIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xciv) Visits Philip during his recovery in the hospital ward. ### [XCVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcvi) Mentioned as the host of the evening Philip attended, where they talked animatedly. ### [XCVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcvii) His portrait of Philip is cut crossways by Mildred during her destruction of the flat. ### [XCIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/xcix) Philip briefly borrows five pounds from Lawson but returns it untouched out of shame. ### [C](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/c) Lends Philip half a sovereign, though he himself has little money. ### [CVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cvi) Lawson meets Philip by chance on Regent Street and tries to reconnect. ### [CXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/chapters/cxvi) Philip sees Lawson in Piccadilly but avoids him, feeling their friendship has run its course. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters/lawson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/of_human_bondage_se/characters