# Henry Sympson — Shirley character guide

> Henry Sympson in Shirley by Charlotte Brontë.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Little Harry Sympson, Harry, Henry Sympson, Hal, young Sympson, Harry⁠

**First appearance:** 0026-xxvii-the-first-bluestocking

## Who they are

Shirley's sharp-eyed young cousin, a crippled boy whose fierce devotion to her makes him both witness and heir to secrets he never sought.

## Relationships

### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone)

_friendship_

Caroline is a kind and patient tutor to the disabled boy Henry, who adores her as a gentle companion.

### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone)

_friendship_

Caroline is a kind and patient tutor to the disabled boy Henry, who adores her as a gentle companion.

### [Caroline Helstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/caroline_helstone)

_friendship_

Caroline is a kind and patient tutor to the disabled boy Henry, who adores her as a gentle companion.

## In the story

### [Two Lives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxii-two-lives)

One of the visiting cousins from the south.

### [XXVI: Old Copybooks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxvi-old-copybooks)

Lame, pale, and affectionate boy of fifteen; Shirley's pet and playmate; rummages Louis Moore's desk and finds Shirley's copybooks.

### [The First Bluestocking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxvii-the-first-bluestocking)

Watches faithfully beside Louis Moore during his illness.

### [Phoebe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxviii-phoebe)

Expresses concern to Mr. Moore about Shirley's wasting health and reckless behavior; shares details of their private agreement regarding the Keeldar name and estate.

### [XXIX: Louis Moore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxix-louis-moore)

Mentioned as Louis's pupil, whom he rarely lectures, contrasting with his desire to correct Shirley.

### [Written in the Schoolroom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/chapters/xxxvi-written-in-the-schoolroom)

Present in the schoolroom with Shirley and Louis at the start of the journal entry.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters/henry_sympson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/shirley_se/characters