# Mr. Daubeny — Phineas Redux character guide

> Mr. Daubeny in Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Daubeny, V Mr. Daubeny

**First appearance:** 0004-v-mr-daubeny-s-great-move

## Snapshot

Mr. Daubeny is the Conservative leader who will carry a bill he disbelieves to keep power, and everyone in Westminster knows it.

## Who they are

Daubeny is the cool, calculating head of the Tory party, willing to outbid the Liberals on their own reform measure because he can and they cannot. His strategy forces Phineas and the Duke to confront whether politics is a contest of principles or of maneuver, and whether a man should support a bill he thinks destructive. He never appears as a villain, only as the system's most honest operator, and that is what makes him unsettling.

## In the story

### [Temptation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/i-temptation)

The Conservative Prime Minister who dissolves Parliament and delays the election for political advantage.

### [Mr. Daubeny’s Great Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/v-mr-daubeny-s-great-move)

Delivers a speech at East Barsetshire hinting at disestablishing the Church, causing political uproar.

### [The Address](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/viii-the-address)

Sits mute during the reading of the Speech and the moving of the Address; later rises to defend himself with badinage, waving to his Conservative supporters.

### [The Debate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/ix-the-debate)

Praised for excellent strategy; his government survives with only two resignations despite proposing Church disestablishment.

### [The Deserted Husband](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/x-the-deserted-husband)

His success in the debate on Church disestablishment grieves Phineas.

### [I Have Got the Seat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xiii-i-have-got-the-seat)

Described as having played his game with consummate skill; his Church reform proposal is a central topic of political discussion.

### [Phineas Again in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xx-phineas-again-in-london)

Mentioned as the Minister introducing the Church Reform Bill, criticized for retaining power unconstitutionally.

### [The Two Gladiators](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-two-gladiators)

Delivers the ministerial speech, attacking Mr. Gresham personally and advocating for Church reform, using erudite references and strategic timing to embarrass his opponent.

### [The Universe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-universe)

Conservative Prime Minister; his Church Bill is being opposed on factional grounds.

### [Cagliostro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxix-cagliostro)

Resigns as Prime Minister after defeat on his great measure, delivers a scathing speech against the House and opposition, then leaves.

### [The Browborough Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xliv-the-browborough-trial)

As Prime Minister, he initially ignores the prosecution recommendation, leaving it to his successor.

### [What the Lords and Commons Said About the Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/l-what-the-lords-and-commons-said-about-the-murder)

Opposition leader; asks Gresham about the arrest of a member for the murder.

### [Phineas Finn Returns to His Duties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxiii-phineas-finn-returns-to-his-duties)

Delivers a speech in the House congratulating Phineas on his acquittal; criticized by Phineas for being insincere and theatrical.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/mr_daubeny
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters