# Barrington Erle — Phineas Finn character guide > Barrington Erle in Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Erle, Barrington, Mr. Erle, Mr. Barrington Erle **First appearance:** 0008-ix-the-new-government ## Snapshot A discreet political wire-puller whose quiet favors can make a young Irishman's parliamentary career—if the young Irishman can learn to read the price. ## Who they are Barrington Erle moves through London's Liberal circles as a fixer and whip, distantly connected to Lady Laura Standish and useful to anyone with ambition. Phineas Finn suspects that his own surprising selection for Loughshane owes less to merit than to Erle's management on Laura's behalf—a favor that quietly binds him. Erle embodies the machinery of Victorian politics: patronage, obligation, and the unspoken debts that shape a newcomer's rise. ## Relationships ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/phineas_finn) _professional_ Erle is a senior Liberal party whip who manages Phineas's political career and offers patronage. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/phineas_finn) _professional_ Erle is a senior Liberal party whip who manages Phineas's political career and offers patronage. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/phineas_finn) _professional_ Erle is a senior Liberal party whip who manages Phineas's political career and offers patronage. ## In the story ### [Phineas Finn Proposes to Stand for Loughshane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/i-phineas-finn-proposes-to-stand-for-loughshane) The private secretary who proposes Phineas as a candidate for Loughshane, representing the party's interests and downplaying the difficulties. ### [Phineas Finn Is Elected for Loughshane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/ii-phineas-finn-is-elected-for-loughshane) Disgusted by Phineas's talk of independence; compares him to a plunging colt that will be tamed. ### [Phineas Finn Takes His Seat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/iii-phineas-finn-takes-his-seat) Referenced in Phineas's thoughts as someone who would despise him if he didn't follow the party line. ### [IV: Lady Laura Standish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/iv-lady-laura-standish) Mentioned as Lady Laura's distant cousin and the person through whom Phineas suspects he was selected for Loughshane. ### [Lord Brentford's Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/vi-lord-brentford-s-dinner) Attends the dinner despite Lady Laura's earlier doubts; discusses the expected majority with enthusiasm. ### [The News About Mr. Mildmay and Sir Everard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/viii-the-news-about-mr-mildmay-and-sir-everard) Arrives at Lady Laura's gathering of liberal political notabilities. ### [The New Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/ix-the-new-government) Goes to the Admiralty as Secretary; expresses fear of Mr. Gresham breaking up the party. ### [Autumnal Prospects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xii-autumnal-prospects) Referenced as having praised Phineas's speaking abilities earlier but now makes no such allusions. ### [Phineas Finn Returns to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xvii-phineas-finn-returns-to-london) Speaks with Phineas at the club about the political meeting and the upcoming Reform Bill. ### [The Debate on the Ballot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xx-the-debate-on-the-ballot) Offers Phineas the opportunity to speak in the debate, but Phineas declines; Erle then arranges for Mr. Bonteen to reply. ### [Sunday in Grosvenor Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxiii-sunday-in-grosvenor-place) Visits on Sunday, discusses politics with Lady Laura, and is aware of the tension between her and Mr. Kennedy. ### [The First Speech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxvi-the-first-speech) Expresses a harsh view on the mob, angering Phineas with his remark that close confinement would be good for the Bunces. ### [The Second Reading Is Carried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxviii-the-second-reading-is-carried) Speaks with Phineas in the lobby before the division; witnesses Clarkson's approach; leaves with Fitzgibbon. ### [XXXVI: Phineas Finn Makes Progress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxvi-phineas-finn-makes-progress) Barrington Erle congratulates Phineas after his successful speech, affirming that Phineas has finally found his form in the House. ### [A Rough Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-rough-encounter) Takes pride in Phineas as his political child; present at the Portman Square gathering. ### [Madame Max Goesler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xl-madame-max-goesler) Present at the dinner as a guest. ### [Again Successful](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/l-again-successful) Discusses possible seats with Phineas, suggesting Loughshane and hinting at Laurence Fitzgibbon's seat. ### [What the People in Marylebone Thought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lvi-what-the-people-in-marylebone-thought) Once Phineas's staunch friend, now speaks of him in a mildly apologetic way without earnestness or cordiality. ### [Showing How the Duke Stood His Ground](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxiii-showing-how-the-duke-stood-his-ground) Seen on the lawn with Lady Laura; jokes with Phineas about obtaining a ticket to the party. ### [Job’s Comforters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxvii-job-s-comforters) Warns Phineas against convictions in politics, urging him to stay with the party and not ruin his career for a crotchet of Mr. Monk's. ### [LXVIII: The Joint Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxviii-the-joint-attack) Present at the dinner; has previously spoken to Phineas about returning to politics and joins the concerted attack. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/barrington_erle - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters