# Mr. Turnbull — Phineas Finn character guide

> Mr. Turnbull in Phineas Finn by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Turnbull

**First appearance:** 0017-xviii-mr-turnbull

## Snapshot

A radical MP whose convictions and independence make him a thorn to party managers and a cautionary example to Phineas.

## Who they are

Mr. Turnbull stands for the kind of uncompromising radicalism that the whips regard as a disease in a young member. Barrington Erle cites him as the sort of man who breaks himself on his own convictions, and his presence shadows Phineas's choice to support Monk's motion against his own side. He matters less as a personality than as the embodiment of the question the novel keeps asking: whether a politician can keep his principles and his place at the same time.

## In the story

### [Mr. Turnbull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xviii-mr-turnbull)

Mr. Turnbull is a powerful, self-assured politician who argues against the value of ministerial office, advocating for independent representation of commercial constituencies.

### [The Debate on the Ballot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xx-the-debate-on-the-ballot)

Speaks at length, attacking Mr. Monk and the ballot; his speech intimidates Phineas further.

### [Mr. Turnbull’s Carriage Stops the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_finn_se/chapters/xxv-mr-turnbull-s-carriage-stops-the-way)

Receives a popular ovation and causes a street row with his carriage, leading to arrests.

## Links

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