# Duke of Omnium — Phineas Finn character guide

> Duke of Omnium in Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** The Duke, Duke of Omnium, The Duke of Omnium, Duke

**First appearance:** 0047-xlviii-the-duke

## Who they are

A wealthy, reclusive old duke.

## Relationships

### [Lady Laura Standish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/lady_laura_standish)

_social_

The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura in high-society and political contexts.

### [Madame Max Goesler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/madame_max_goesler)

_romantic_

The Duke is infatuated with Madame Max and proposes marriage, but she refuses him, maintaining a flirtatious friendship.

### [Lady Laura Standish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/lady_laura_standish)

_social_

The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura in high-society and political contexts.

### [Madame Max Goesler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/madame_max_goesler)

_romantic_

The Duke is infatuated with Madame Max and proposes marriage, but she refuses him, maintaining a flirtatious friendship.

### [Madame Max Goesler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/madame_max_goesler)

_romantic_

The Duke is infatuated with Madame Max and proposes marriage, but she refuses him, maintaining a flirtatious friendship.

### [Lady Laura Standish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/lady_laura_standish)

_social_

The Duke is a powerful political patron and social acquaintance who interacts with Laura in high-society and political contexts.

## In the story

### [The Duke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xlviii-the-duke)

Arrives at Matching Priory, is a figure of immense social prestige, interacts with Madame Max Goesler at dinner, and is described as having never done a day's work for his country.

### [Consolation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/liv-consolation)

Mentioned in Madame Goesler's reflections; she has a note from him and contemplates the possibility of becoming Duchess of Omnium.

### [The Top Brick of the Chimney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lvii-the-top-brick-of-the-chimney)

An elderly, dignified nobleman who becomes infatuated with Madame Goesler, visiting her repeatedly and offering to show her his villa on Como.

### [LVIII: Rara Avis in Terris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lviii-rara-avis-in-terris)

Referenced as one of the two most honest men in the Cabinet with whom Mr. Monk discusses tenant-right.

### [Madame Goesler’s Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lx-madame-goesler-s-politics)

Shows infatuation with Madame Goesler, viewing her as the 'top brick of the chimney,' and is interrupted by Lady Glencora.

### [LXI: Another Duel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxi-another-duel)

Proposes marriage to Madame Goesler and hints at the possibility to his nephew Plantagenet.

### [The Letter That Was Sent to Brighton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxii-the-letter-that-was-sent-to-brighton)

Flees to Brighton and sends a note to Madame Goesler asking for her answer, which she sends declining his proposal.

### [Showing How the Duke Stood His Ground](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxiii-showing-how-the-duke-stood-his-ground)

Hosts the garden party; sits in an armchair by the riverbank, greets Madame Goesler, and later dines with royalty.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/duke_of_omnium
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters