# Laurence Fitzgibbon — Phineas Finn character guide > Laurence Fitzgibbon in Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Fitzgibbon, Fitzgibbon, Mr. Laurence Fitzgibbon, Laurence, poor Laurence Fitzgibbon **First appearance:** 0008-ix-the-new-government ## Snapshot An Irish MP and Phineas's genial, perpetually broke friend, whose cheerful advice runs to marrying money and dodging creditors. ## Who they are Laurence Fitzgibbon is Phineas's easygoing compatriot in the House, always true to him after a fashion and never quite solvent. When Phineas's career wobbles, Laurence's counsel is characteristically practical: pop the question to Madame Max, whose money is all true. His cheerful recklessness and his own scrapes with debt make him both a comfort and a warning, the friend who shows Phineas what a parliamentary life without discipline can become. ## Relationships ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/phineas_finn) _friendship_ Fitzgibbon is a fellow Irish MP and friend who introduces Phineas to London political and social circles. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/phineas_finn) _friendship_ Fitzgibbon is a fellow Irish MP and friend who introduces Phineas to London political and social circles. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/phineas_finn) _friendship_ Fitzgibbon is a fellow Irish MP and friend who introduces Phineas to London political and social circles. ## In the story ### [Phineas Finn Takes His Seat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/iii-phineas-finn-takes-his-seat) An experienced MP and friend of Phineas, who downplays the significance of Phineas's election and shares cynical views about Parliament. ### [Lord Brentford's Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/vi-lord-brentford-s-dinner) Dines at Lord Brentford's; comments on the decency of voting despite personal loss. ### [Mr. and Mrs. Bunce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/vii-mr-and-mrs-bunce) Phineas's friend at the Reform Club; gives a romancing description of the political crisis and potential successors. ### [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) Walks with Phineas towards Portman Square but turns into Brooks's; later arrives at Lady Laura's with the Bonteens. ### [The New Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/ix-the-new-government) Becomes a junior Lord of the Treasury; claims a promise from Phineas to assist at his reelection in Mayo. ### [Autumnal Prospects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xii-autumnal-prospects) Professes friendship to Phineas and then asks him to endorse a bill for £250. ### [XIII: Saulsby Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xiii-saulsby-wood) Laurence teases Phineas about his invitations to Saulsby and Loughlinter, and mentions Violet Effingham as a potential heiress. ### [The Debate on the Ballot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xx-the-debate-on-the-ballot) Seen by Phineas in the lobby after the debate, but Phineas avoids him. ### [Do Be Punctual](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxi-do-be-punctual) Avoids responsibility for the bill he endorsed, promises to settle but is evasive. ### [Mr. Turnbull’s Carriage Stops the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxv-mr-turnbull-s-carriage-stops-the-way) Accompanies Phineas out of the hall and comments on Mr. Turnbull's carriage arrangements. ### [The Second Reading Is Carried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxviii-the-second-reading-is-carried) Dismisses Phineas's complaint about Clarkson; leaves with Barrington Erle after the division. ### [Finn for Loughton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxi-finn-for-loughton) Quips that Phineas will marry an heiress and become Secretary for Ireland. ### [A Rough Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-rough-encounter) Phineas seeks him out for advice but cannot find him; later seen at Lady Laura's gathering. ### [The Duel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-duel) Serves as Phineas's second in the duel; lies to Lady Laura about his and Phineas's whereabouts. ### [Promotion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xliii-promotion) Mentioned as having been offered the Undersecretary for the Colonies position, which Phineas initially covets; Phineas views him as a poor creature who has eaten the bread of idleness. ### [What the People in Marylebone Thought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lvi-what-the-people-in-marylebone-thought) Shows no animosity toward Phineas despite being superseded at the Colonial Office; comments that the party is rotten. ### [Job’s Comforters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxvii-job-s-comforters) Jokingly advises Phineas to propose to Madame Goesler as a way out of his troubles. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/laurence_fitzgibbon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters