# Sir John Middleton — Sense and Sensibility character guide

> Sir John Middleton in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir John, John

**First appearance:** 0005-vi

## Snapshot

A good-humoured baronet of about forty who cannot do enough for his tenants, pressing dinner invitations and gifts of game on the Dashwoods with tireless warmth.

## Who they are

Sir John is the Dashwoods' landlord at Barton Cottage, a chatty, generous man whose kindness overflows all bounds of civility. He calls the morning after their arrival, sends garden produce and game within hours, insists on carrying their letters and sharing his newspaper daily, and presses them to dine at Barton Park every day. His frankness and warmth stand in comic contrast to his reserved wife and cold mother-in-law, and his relentless sociability draws the sisters into the very company that will shape their fortunes.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings)

_family_

Mrs. Jennings is Sir John Middleton's mother-in-law, and they share a jovial, gossipy relationship.

### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood)

_social_

Elinor is a polite and grateful guest of the hospitable but boisterous Sir John.

### [John Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/john_willoughby)

_social_

Willoughby is a fellow sportsman and guest of Sir John, who enjoys his company before his betrayal.

### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings)

_family_

Mrs. Jennings is Sir John Middleton's mother-in-law, and they share a jovial, gossipy relationship.

### [John Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/john_willoughby)

_social_

Willoughby is a fellow sportsman and guest of Sir John, who enjoys his company before his betrayal.

### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood)

_social_

Elinor is a polite and grateful guest of the hospitable but boisterous Sir John.

### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood)

_social_

Elinor is a polite and grateful guest of the hospitable but boisterous Sir John.

### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings)

_family_

Mrs. Jennings is Sir John Middleton's mother-in-law, and they share a jovial, gossipy relationship.

### [John Willoughby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/john_willoughby)

_social_

Willoughby is a fellow sportsman and guest of Sir John, who enjoys his company before his betrayal.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/iv)

Offers Barton Cottage to Mrs. Dashwood in a friendly letter, leading to the family's move to Devonshire.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/vi)

Visits the Dashwoods to welcome them and offer assistance; described as good-humored and friendly.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/vii)

Hosts the dinner with unaffected sincerity; loud in admiration of Marianne's singing; delights in collecting young people.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/ix)

Visits the Dashwoods and provides information about Willoughby, describing him as a good fellow and a bold rider; teases Marianne about setting her cap at Willoughby.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xii)

Sir John praises the beauty of the grounds to be visited and has organized parties to see them for years.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xvi)

Mentioned as fetching letters from the post and making witticisms that add to Marianne's pain.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xviii)

Visits with Mrs. Jennings, invites the Dashwoods to dine and drink tea, mentions Willoughby.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xix)

Arrives with a large party and insists the Dashwood sisters dine at the park the next day, showing his persistent hospitality.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxi)

Sir John enthusiastically invites the Miss Steeles to the Park and urges the Dashwoods to meet them, praising the girls extravagantly.

### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxiii)

Invites the Dashwoods to dine with Lady Middleton while he attends a club in Exeter.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxv)

Sir John delights in the scheme, as it adds to the company in London and alleviates his fear of solitude.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxvii)

Hosts a ball in London, inviting many young people; meets Willoughby in the street.

### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xliv)

Briefly mentioned as someone Willoughby accidentally encountered in London, leading to an invitation to a party.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/sir_john_middleton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters