# Old Mr. Tozer — Phoebe, Junior character guide

> Old Mr. Tozer in Phoebe, Junior by Margaret Oliphant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Old Tozer, Mr. Tozer, Notwithstanding Tozer

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-pastor-s-progress

## Snapshot

Phoebe's grandfather, a prosperous butterman and leading Salem deacon who has outlived his fondness for clever young ministers and now trusts only consistency.

## Who they are

Old Tozer is the solid, greasy, respectable shopkeeper whose money and chapel membership make him a power in Carlingford even as his granddaughter's refinement makes him uneasy. He has loved clever young men in his day—more well than wisely, as everyone knows—and now delivers long sermons against them from his little room, twiddling his thumbs. His butterman's fortune and his deacon's vote give him real leverage over Salem and over Phoebe's prospects, and his wary affection for his grandchild is one of the novel's most quietly complicated ties.

## In the story

### [V: Self-Devotion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/v-self-devotion)

Phoebe's grandfather, a butterman in Carlingford; he is mentioned as an excellent man but old-fashioned and not refined.

### [X: Papa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/x-papa)

A Dissenter who observes Mr. May with his children and remarks 'He's a rum un, he is.'

### [XI: Phoebe’s Preparations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xi-phoebe-s-preparations)

Phoebe's grandfather; mentioned as part of the family she is going to care for.

### [XII: Grange Lane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xii-grange-lane)

Greets Phoebe at the station, is impressed by her lack of pride, and worries about how she will get along with his wife.

### [XIII: The Tozer Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xiii-the-tozer-family)

Proudly plans to show Phoebe off to the community as a specimen of Tozer blood.

### [XVI: The New Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xvi-the-new-gentleman)

Phoebe's grandfather, a greasy old shopkeeper who proudly invites Northcote to tea and boasts of his long-standing support for the connection.

### [XVII: A Public Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xvii-a-public-meeting)

Disappears to put on his best coat to attend the meeting, eager to show off Phoebe.

### [Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxv-tea)

Praises Phoebe's domestic skills and enjoys the tea.

### [A Disclosure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-disclosure)

Mr. Tozer is mentioned as having forgiven Mr. Northcote and shown him kindness, which deeply impresses Northcote.

### [XL: The Sinned-Against](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xl-the-sinned-against)

Furious about a forged bill involving Cotsdean; loses his temper and curses in front of Phoebe.

### [The Conflict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xliii-the-conflict)

Overawed by Clarence's wealth, he worships the young man and congratulates him on the engagement, momentarily forgetting the forgery.

### [XLIV: Phoebe’s Last Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xliv-phoebe-s-last-trial)

Anxious and broken down, pleads with Phoebe not to offend Mr. Copperhead, and is distressed by the conflict.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/old_mr_tozer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters