# Captain Benwick — Persuasion character guide

> Captain Benwick in Persuasion by Jane Austen.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** a Captain Benwick, Benwick, James Benwick

**First appearance:** 0011-xii

## Who they are

A mourning naval officer whose grief, poetry, and quiet reading make him the still center of the Harvilles' household at Lyme.

## In the story

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xi)

Shy and grieving, he discusses poetry with Anne and accepts her recommendations for prose to help with his affliction.

### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xiv)

Captain Benwick is discussed as a potential visitor; he is described as shy and bookish, with a clear interest in Anne.

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/chapters/xviii)

Engaged to Louisa Musgrove; Anne reflects on his character and the attraction.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters/captain_benwick
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- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/persuasion_se/characters