# Mr. Brownlow — Oliver Twist character guide > Mr. Brownlow in Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Brownlow, the indignant Mr. Brownlow **First appearance:** 0010-xi-treats-of-mr-fang-the-police-magistrate-and-furnishes-a-slight-specimen-of-his-mode-of-administering-justice ## Snapshot A kindly, impulsive old gentleman who takes Oliver into his home on nothing more than a resemblance, and later makes the rescue legal and permanent. ## Who they are Brownlow first appears as the victim of a pickpocketing and ends as the boy's adoptive father, a man whose benevolence is as quick as his temper. He is surrounded by friends like the contrary Mr. Grimwig, whose gloomy predictions he cheerfully endures, and his household is the first place Oliver is treated as a child rather than a case. His belief in Oliver's honesty gives the novel its moral center of gravity, and his search for the boy's history drives the mystery forward. ## Relationships ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _family_ Mr. Brownlow is Oliver's grandfather, who rescues and adopts him with kindness. ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _family_ Mr. Brownlow is Oliver's grandfather, who rescues and adopts him with kindness. ### [Oliver Twist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/oliver_twist) _family_ Mr. Brownlow is Oliver's grandfather, who rescues and adopts him with kindness. ## In the story ### [Oliver Becomes Better Acquainted with the Characters of His New Associates; and Purchases Experience at a High Price. Being a Short, but Very Important Chapter, in This History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/x-oliver-becomes-better-acquainted-with-the-characters-of-his-new-associates-and-purchases-experience-at-a-high-price-being-a-short-but-very-important-chapter-in-this-history) Mr. Brownlow is the respectable old gentleman reading at the bookstall whose handkerchief is stolen. He pursues Oliver and shows compassion when Oliver is caught. ### [XII: In Which Oliver Is Taken Better Care of Than He Ever Was Before. And in Which the Narrative Reverts to the Merry Old Gentleman and His Youthful Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xii-in-which-oliver-is-taken-better-care-of-than-he-ever-was-before-and-in-which-the-narrative-reverts-to-the-merry-old-gentleman-and-his-youthful-friends) Mr. Brownlow has taken Oliver into his home and tends to him. He is puzzled by Oliver's denial of the name 'White' and is struck by the resemblance between Oliver and a portrait. ### [XIV: Comprising Further Particulars of Oliver’s Stay at Mr. Brownlow’s, with the Remarkable Prediction Which One Mr. Grimwig Uttered Concerning Him, When He Went Out on an Errand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xiv-comprising-further-particulars-of-oliver-s-stay-at-mr-brownlow-s-with-the-remarkable-prediction-which-one-mr-grimwig-uttered-concerning-him-when-he-went-out-on-an-errand) Caring for Oliver, removing the portrait to avoid upsetting him, and trusting Oliver with an errand despite Grimwig's doubts. ### [XV: Showing How Very Fond of Oliver Twist the Merry Old Jew and Miss Nancy Were](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xv-showing-how-very-fond-of-oliver-twist-the-merry-old-jew-and-miss-nancy-were) Mentioned indirectly: the two old gentlemen (Brownlow and Grimwig) sit in the dark parlour with the watch between them, waiting for Oliver's return. ### [Oliver’s Destiny Continuing Unpropitious, Brings a Great Man to London to Injure His Reputation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xvii-oliver-s-destiny-continuing-unpropitious-brings-a-great-man-to-london-to-injure-his-reputation) Listens to Mr. Bumble's false story and reluctantly believes Oliver is an imposter. ### [Of the Happy Life Oliver Began to Lead with His Kind Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xxxii-of-the-happy-life-oliver-began-to-lead-with-his-kind-friends) Has sold his goods and gone to the West Indies, leaving Oliver devastated. ### [XLI: Containing Fresh Discoveries, and Showing That Surprises, Like Misfortunes, Seldom Come Alone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xli-containing-fresh-discoveries-and-showing-that-surprises-like-misfortunes-seldom-come-alone) Mr. Brownlow is reunited with Oliver, hears Rose's account of Nancy's story, and advocates for a careful strategy to uncover Oliver's parentage and inheritance. ### [XLVI: The Appointment Kept](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlvi-the-appointment-kept) Accompanies Rose Maylie to the meeting, takes notes on Nancy's description of Monks, and recognizes the mark on Monks' throat. ### [Monks and Mr. Brownlow at Length Meet. Their Conversation, and the Intelligence That Interrupts It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/xlix-monks-and-mr-brownlow-at-length-meet-their-conversation-and-the-intelligence-that-interrupts-it) Confronts Monks with the truth about Oliver's parentage and Monks' schemes. ### [Affording an Explanation of More Mysteries Than One, and Comprehending a Proposal of Marriage with No Word of Settlement or Pin-Money](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/li-affording-an-explanation-of-more-mysteries-than-one-and-comprehending-a-proposal-of-marriage-with-no-word-of-settlement-or-pin-money) Leads the revelation of Oliver's origins, presenting the signed declarations and the story of Edwin Leeford. ### [Fagin's Last Night Alive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/lii-fagin-s-last-night-alive) Mr. Brownlow accompanies Oliver to the prison to retrieve papers from Fagin, acting with solemn purpose and concern for Oliver's well-being. ### [LIII: And Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/chapters/liii-and-last) Adopts Oliver and moves near the parsonage. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters/mr_brownlow - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oliver_twist_se/characters