Phineas Finn · Character

Lord Brentford

A powerful earl who lends his borough and his ear to Phineas, only to learn the young man once aimed at the bride he had chosen for his son.

supporting

Also known as VI Lord Brentford, old Lord Brentford, Brentford, the Brentford

First appearance: vi lord brentford s dinner

As a supporting figure in Phineas Finn, Lord Brentford is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Lady Laura's father; in the Cabinet as Lord Privy Seal; unhappy due to quarrel with his son.

In the storyX: Violet EffinghamOpen this moment free

Lord Brentford is the great Whig magnate whose interest at Loughton gives Phineas his seat in Parliament, and whose Berkeley Square house becomes the young Irishman's second home. He is estranged from his fiery son Chiltern and pins his hopes on a marriage between Chiltern and Violet Effingham, so the news that Phineas fought a duel over the same lady strikes him as a personal betrayal. His slow, wounded discovery of what everyone else already knows makes him both a patron and a test of Phineas's honesty.

See Lord Brentford in X: Violet Effingham Book page

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Character Web

18 connections

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Other

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Minor Characters and Extras
Political and Social Circle

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, Phineas reaches his emotional and psychological peak by definitively choosing principle over…

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In the story

Lord Brentford appears across 24 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

X: Violet Effingham
Lady Laura's father; in the Cabinet as Lord Privy Seal; unhappy due to quarrel with his son.
Lord Chiltern
Estranged from his son; laments Lord Chiltern's lifestyle and refuses to support a match with Violet.
XIII: Saulsby Wood
Lord Brentford is the host at Saulsby Wood and rides with the party, discussing politics with Lady Glencora.
Lord Chiltern Rides His Horse Bonebreaker
Sends for his son via Phineas, proposes a conditional financial arrangement tied to Chiltern marrying Violet Effingham.
Lady Baldock at Home
Mentioned as someone Phineas might speak to about Lord Chiltern; Violet believes he would listen to Phineas.
The Willingford Bull
Mentioned by Lord Chiltern as an unjust father who would not help him in politics.
Mr. Turnbull’s Carriage Stops the Way
Receives news of Lord Chiltern's accident and expresses worry about his son's habits.
Phineas Discussed
Reports that Phineas's speech was nearly coughed down; discusses political crisis and likelihood of Phineas losing his seat.
Mr. Kennedy's Luck
Hosts a dinner with Phineas and Mr. Kennedy; continues to refuse to see his son Lord Chiltern.
Finn for Loughton
Offers Phineas the Loughton seat out of gratitude for saving his son-in-law.
Lady Laura Kennedy’s Headache
Present at Loughlinter, satisfied with Phineas's candidacy for Loughton.
Mr. Slide's Grievance
Discusses with Phineas his concerns about Lady Laura's unhappiness at Loughlinter and his strained relationship with his son, Lord Chiltern.
Was He Honest?
Welcomes Phineas to Saulsby Castle and expresses willingness to reconcile with his son.
A Rough Encounter
Heard Phineas's speech in the gallery and praised him; present at the Portman Square gathering.
Promotion
Writes to Phineas offering him the junior lordship at the Treasury; meets with Phineas and explains that Mr. Mildmay proposed the appointment; discusses Clause 72 and expresses concern about Lord Chiltern, asking Phineas to write to him.
The Mousetrap
Mentioned as having asked Phineas to communicate with Lord Chiltern. He is also referenced as being somewhere about the house during the proposal.
Mr. Mildmay's Bill
Comments on Mr. Mildmay's handling of the bill and expresses his opinion that the bill should have been thrown up.
The Duke
Stays only one night at Matching Priory, expresses a desire to reconcile with his son Lord Chiltern if he comes to Saulsby.
Lord Chiltern at Saulsby
Welcomes his son but is frustrated by Chiltern's refusal to pursue a political career.
The Earl's Wrath
Angry and feeling betrayed upon learning of the duel; reveals that his son and Violet have quarreled.
The Horns
Present at the party, gloomy and resolved to avenge the insult to his daughter; escorts Lady Laura and later Violet.
LXVIII: The Joint Attack
Hosts the dinner; reconciles with Phineas over the duel; opens the attack urging Phineas to return to politics.
The Temptress
Mentioned as being in great wrath over Mr. Kennedy's demand for his wife's return.
LXXI: Comparing Notes
Mentioned as having attempted to reconcile with his son Lord Chiltern, but struggles with Chiltern's political views.

Chapter companion notes

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See Lord Brentford in vi lord brentford s dinner

See Lord Brentford in X: Violet Effingham