# Sir Robert Dorset — Phoebe, Junior character guide

> Sir Robert Dorset in Phoebe, Junior by Margaret Oliphant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Robert, Poor Sir Robert, Robert

**First appearance:** 0007-viii-the-dorsets

## Snapshot

A baronet and gentleman farmer, father of the Dorset sisters, whose easy county standing makes him a useful relation and an unreliable one.

## Who they are

Sir Robert Dorset belongs to the settled county gentry—the world the Copperheads ape and the Mays half-belong to—and his daughters move through Carlingford society with the confidence of people who have never had to explain themselves. He is a background presence whose name opens doors and whose fortunes, like his health, are not entirely dependable. As a connection of the Copperheads and a neighbor to the Mays, he helps map the social terrain on which Phoebe must make her way.

## Relationships

### [Clarence Copperhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/clarence_copperhead)

_family_

Sir Robert Dorset is Clarence's father, a wealthy baronet who disapproves of Clarence's pursuit of Phoebe.

### [Clarence Copperhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/clarence_copperhead)

_family_

Sir Robert Dorset is Clarence's father, a wealthy baronet who disapproves of Clarence's pursuit of Phoebe.

### [Clarence Copperhead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/clarence_copperhead)

_family_

Sir Robert Dorset is Clarence's father, a wealthy baronet who disapproves of Clarence's pursuit of Phoebe.

## In the story

### [Mr. Copperhead's Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/iii-mr-copperhead-s-ball)

Attends the ball out of curiosity, viewing the event as akin to visiting the Cannibal Islands to observe savages.

### [IV: A Country Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/iv-a-country-party)

The father of the family, who views marriage for wealth as the natural course of affairs and comments on the City men's tendency to fat.

### [VI: A Morning Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/vi-a-morning-call)

Stiff and uncomfortable, he is patronized by Mr. Copperhead and subtly offended by the rich man's bluntness, leading to an early departure.

### [VIII: The Dorsets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/viii-the-dorsets)

Mentioned as the object of Ursula's innocent preference; he gives no trouble, unlike clergymen.

### [The Millionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxv-the-millionaire)

Drives Mr. Copperhead to Carlingford and privately tells Mr. May that Copperhead is 'the greatest brute' he knows.

## Links

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