# Mr. Kennedy — Phineas Finn character guide > Mr. Kennedy in Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Robert Kennedy, Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, old Mr. Kennedy, Robert **First appearance:** 0013-xiv-loughlinter ## Snapshot A wealthy, humorless MP who marries Lady Laura for duty and expects his wife to be as punctual as his prayers. ## Who they are Mr. Kennedy is a rich, rigidly regular member of Parliament whose wealth and political weight make him a useful ally and a suffocating husband. He marries Lady Laura believing she will submit to his clockwork household, and his jealousy and coldness slowly turn the marriage into a prison. His inability to imagine that his wife might have a will of her own makes him one of Trollope's most quietly chilling figures. ## Relationships ### [Lady Laura Standish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/lady_laura_standish) _family_ They are married, but the union is unhappy and strained due to Laura's lack of love and Kennedy's jealousy and possessiveness. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/phineas_finn) _rivalry_ Kennedy is intensely jealous of Phineas due to his wife Laura's affection for him, leading to bitter antagonism. ### [Lady Laura Standish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/lady_laura_standish) _family_ They are married, but the union is unhappy and strained due to Laura's lack of love and Kennedy's jealousy and possessiveness. ### [Lady Laura Standish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/lady_laura_standish) _family_ They are married, but the union is unhappy and strained due to Laura's lack of love and Kennedy's jealousy and possessiveness. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/phineas_finn) _rivalry_ Kennedy is intensely jealous of Phineas due to his wife Laura's affection for him, leading to bitter antagonism. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/phineas_finn) _rivalry_ Kennedy is intensely jealous of Phineas due to his wife Laura's affection for him, leading to bitter antagonism. ## In the story ### [Lord Brentford's Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/vi-lord-brentford-s-dinner) Present at the dinner; stands close to Lady Laura, causing Phineas's jealousy. ### [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) Present at Lady Laura's, discusses the political situation from Brooks's; Phineas dislikes him. ### [The New Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/ix-the-new-government) Refuses an offer of office (not in the Cabinet but of high dignity), which Phineas finds disappointing. ### [Autumnal Prospects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xii-autumnal-prospects) Invites Phineas to Loughlinter; Phineas dislikes him but accepts the invitation. ### [XIV: Loughlinter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xiv-loughlinter) Hosts the party at Loughlinter, shows Lady Laura and Phineas the estate, and shares his personal history with the property. ### [Donald Bean's Pony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xv-donald-bean-s-pony) Helps Phineas by securing Donald Bean's pony, and is revealed to be engaged to Lady Laura. ### [Phineas Finn Returns to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xvii-phineas-finn-returns-to-london) Lady Laura's fiancé; their marriage is hurried; Phineas receives a letter from Lady Laura about the wedding. ### [Mr. Turnbull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xviii-mr-turnbull) Mr. Kennedy is present at the dinner, interjecting with questions about political representation and the role of ministers. ### [The Debate on the Ballot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xx-the-debate-on-the-ballot) Remains in the House after the debate; Phineas visits Lady Laura while Kennedy is still at work. ### [Sunday in Grosvenor Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxiii-sunday-in-grosvenor-place) Punctual, rigid, and devout; insists on Sunday observance, forbids novels, and expects his wife to follow his routines without question. ### [The Willingford Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxiv-the-willingford-bull) Mentioned by Lord Chiltern as a 'log of wood' and a prig, with Chiltern predicting marital strife. ### [Phineas Discussed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxvii-phineas-discussed) Dismisses Phineas's speech as a failure; shows growing dislike of Lady Laura's eagerness for Phineas's success. ### [Mr. Kennedy's Luck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxx-mr-kennedy-s-luck) Is attacked by garrotters and saved by Phineas; is appointed to the Cabinet, though his wife questions his ambition; shows gratitude to Phineas. ### [Finn for Loughton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxi-finn-for-loughton) Recently attacked by garrotters; supports Phineas's candidacy for Loughton. ### [Lady Laura Kennedy’s Headache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxii-lady-laura-kennedy-s-headache) Shows concern for Lady Laura's health but fails to understand her unhappiness. ### [XXXVI: Phineas Finn Makes Progress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxvi-phineas-finn-makes-progress) Mr. Kennedy speaks with Phineas about Lady Laura's return, revealing awkwardness and suggesting marital discord. He dismisses Violet Effingham's beauty and petting as frivolous. ### [A Rough Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-rough-encounter) Praises Phineas's speech as eloquent but too short; notably absent from Lady Laura's gathering. ### [Lady Laura Is Told](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxxix-lady-laura-is-told) Lady Laura's husband, mentioned as having provided financial assistance to Lord Brentford. ### [Madame Max Goesler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xl-madame-max-goesler) Asks his wife about the duel rumor; believes her denial. ### [Phineas and His Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xliv-phineas-and-his-friends) Expresses jealousy and suspicion of Phineas's influence over Lady Laura; argues with his wife about her idolatry of Phineas; accuses her of neglecting duty. ### [Miss Effingham’s Four Lovers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xlv-miss-effingham-s-four-lovers) Mentioned as Lady Laura's husband; Violet jokes about being in his way if she stayed with them. ### [Mr. Mildmay's Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xlvii-mr-mildmay-s-bill) Comments on tradition and the pace of reform in a discussion with Phineas and Lady Laura. ### [Troubles at Loughlinter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/li-troubles-at-loughlinter) Assertive and austere with Lady Laura; disputes arrangements for guests but later apologizes; insists on proper marital relations. ### [The First Blow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lii-the-first-blow) Grows suspicious of Lady Laura's past deception regarding the duel. ### [What the People in Marylebone Thought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lvi-what-the-people-in-marylebone-thought) Informs Phineas that Lady Laura is in town; maintains a formal friendship with Phineas but invites him to visit despite past cautions to his wife. ### [LVIII: Rara Avis in Terris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lviii-rara-avis-in-terris) Persistently invites Phineas to dinner, confronts him at his office, and directly asks if Lady Laura has forbidden Phineas from coming. ### [LXVIII: The Joint Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxviii-the-joint-attack) Approaches Phineas in the House of Commons to discuss his separation from Lady Laura; later instructs his lawyer to seek restitution of conjugal rights. ### [LXX: The Prime Minister’s House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxx-the-prime-minister-s-house) Stands menacingly at the party, intercepts Phineas, and delivers a threatening message to Lady Laura. ### [LXXI: Comparing Notes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/lxxi-comparing-notes) Referenced by Lady Laura as the man she wronged by marrying him, leading to mutual wretchedness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters/mr_kennedy - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/characters