# John Pendleton — Pollyanna character guide > John Pendleton in Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. John Pendleton, Mr. Pendleton, John Pendleton, Pendleton **First appearance:** 0010-ix-which-tells-of-the-man ## Snapshot A wealthy, sour recluse whose gray stone house and crabbed temper hide an old heartbreak connected to Pollyanna's mother. ## Who they are John Pendleton is the town's richest and least sociable man, known for miserliness and a tongue sharp enough to keep visitors away. He once loved Pollyanna's mother, lost her to another man, and has been nursing the disappointment ever since, which makes his growing attachment to the child both tender and dangerous. His reluctant friendship with Pollyanna pulls him back into the world and sets up the question of what he will do with the affection he can no longer pretend not to feel. ## Relationships ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _friendship_ John Pendleton is a reclusive wealthy man who becomes a close friend and benefactor to Pollyanna, eventually adopting her as a daughter figure. ### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/nancy) _social_ John Pendleton and Nancy are acquaintances who interact occasionally due to Pollyanna's visits to his house. ### [Aunt Polly Harrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/aunt_polly_harrington) _romantic_ Aunt Polly and John Pendleton were former lovers who reunite and eventually marry, resolving their past misunderstandings. ### [Jimmy Bean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/jimmy_bean) _family_ Jimmy Bean is taken in by John Pendleton, who becomes his adoptive father, giving him a home and family. ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _friendship_ John Pendleton is a reclusive wealthy man who becomes a close friend and benefactor to Pollyanna, eventually adopting her as a daughter figure. ### [Pollyanna Whittier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/pollyanna_whittier) _friendship_ John Pendleton is a reclusive wealthy man who becomes a close friend and benefactor to Pollyanna, eventually adopting her as a daughter figure. ### [Aunt Polly Harrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/aunt_polly_harrington) _romantic_ Aunt Polly and John Pendleton were former lovers who reunite and eventually marry, resolving their past misunderstandings. ### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/nancy) _social_ John Pendleton and Nancy are acquaintances who interact occasionally due to Pollyanna's visits to his house. ### [Nancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/nancy) _social_ John Pendleton and Nancy are acquaintances who interact occasionally due to Pollyanna's visits to his house. ### [Jimmy Bean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/jimmy_bean) _family_ Jimmy Bean is taken in by John Pendleton, who becomes his adoptive father, giving him a home and family. ### [Jimmy Bean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/jimmy_bean) _family_ Jimmy Bean is taken in by John Pendleton, who becomes his adoptive father, giving him a home and family. ## In the story ### [Pollyanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/pollyanna) Mentioned as a reclusive bachelor in town; Pollyanna expresses interest in meeting him. ### [Which Tells of the Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/ix-which-tells-of-the-man) Initially scowling and testy, he gradually responds to Pollyanna's greetings and begins speaking to her, surprising Nancy. ### [In Pendleton Woods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xiii-in-pendleton-woods) John Pendleton is found lying at the foot of Little Eagle Ledge with a broken leg. He gives Pollyanna instructions to call Dr. Chilton and later allows her to hold his head. ### [Just a Matter of Jelly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xiv-just-a-matter-of-jelly) Has a broken leg from the accident; Pollyanna wants to bring him jelly; Aunt Polly has a complicated reaction to his name. ### [Dr. Chilton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xv-dr-chilton) Receives Pollyanna's visit and jelly, reacts strongly to learning she is Miss Polly Harrington's niece, and engages in the glad game with Pollyanna. ### [A Red Rose and a Lace Shawl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xvi-a-red-rose-and-a-lace-shawl) Requested Pollyanna's visit; mentioned as lying with a broken leg. ### [Just Like a Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xvii-just-like-a-book) Greets Pollyanna warmly, shows her his carved box of treasures, and admits he initially wanted to avoid her because she reminded him of something he wished to forget. ### [Prisms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xviii-prisms) Remains irritable and helpless, but is moved by Pollyanna's story and calls her the finest prism. ### [XIX: Which Is Somewhat Surprising](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xix-which-is-somewhat-surprising) Feels neglected by Pollyanna's school schedule, asks her to live with him, and reveals his past love. Becomes agitated when Pollyanna misunderstands. ### [XX: Which Is More Surprising](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xx-which-is-more-surprising) John Pendleton confesses his past love for Pollyanna's mother and asks Pollyanna to come live with him. He becomes impatient and irritable when Pollyanna hesitates due to her loyalty to Aunt Polly. ### [A Question Answered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxi-a-question-answered) Initially hurt by Pollyanna's refusal to live with him, but eventually agrees to meet Jimmy Bean. ### [XXII: Sermons and Woodboxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxii-sermons-and-woodboxes) Mentioned as having broken his leg, which Pollyanna references when she finds the minister. ### [John Pendleton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxiv-john-pendleton) Visits Miss Polly to inquire about Pollyanna, reveals his past offer to adopt her, and shares his stored-up affection for Pollyanna's mother. ### [Two Visits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxvii-two-visits) Deeply affected by the news of Pollyanna's condition, he decides to adopt Jimmy Bean and sends a message to Pollyanna hoping to bring her gladness. ### [Through an Open Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxix-through-an-open-window) John Pendleton is visited by Dr. Chilton, who confides his desire to examine Pollyanna. Pendleton is sympathetic and tries to help find a way to overcome the barrier with Aunt Polly. ### [Jimmy Takes the Helm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/chapters/xxx-jimmy-takes-the-helm) Mentioned as the person Dr. Chilton was visiting when Jimmy overheard their conversation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters/john_pendleton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pollyanna_se/characters