# Mr. Somerton — Short Fiction character guide

> Mr. Somerton in Short Fiction by M. R. James.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Somerton

**First appearance:** 0020-an-episode-of-cathedral-history

## Snapshot

A courteous visitor to the cathedral library whose quiet inquiry about a black-cloaked clergyman sets Mr. Eldred on the trail of the Tractate Middoth.

## Who they are

Somerton moves through the library with the ease of a man who knows its collections and its staff, asking careful questions about who came and went the day before. His interest in the old gentleman in the black cloak is polite but unmistakably pointed, and his willingness to leave the book behind for Garrett's sake suggests either consideration or calculation. He matters because his questions establish that something is being sought in that library, and that Eldred is not the only one looking.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mr_brown)

_friendship_

Mr. Brown and Mr. Somerton are friends or allies, sharing a supportive bond.

### [Mr. Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mr_brown)

_friendship_

Mr. Brown and Mr. Somerton are friends or allies, sharing a supportive bond.

### [Mr. Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mr_brown)

_friendship_

Mr. Brown and Mr. Somerton are friends or allies, sharing a supportive bond.

## In the story

### [The Treasure of Abbot Thomas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-treasure-of-abbot-thomas)

Protagonist who deciphers Abbot Thomas' riddle and retrieves the treasure, only to be haunted by a supernatural entity.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/i)

The antiquary who translates the Latin passage, identifies the stained-glass figures, and deciphers the riddle of Abbot Thomas's hidden treasure.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/ii)

The squire and friend of Mr. Gregory, who has suffered a 'nasty shock' and is recovering in bed at Steinfeld.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/iii)

Protagonist who deciphers the cipher and retrieves the treasure, then experiences haunting.

### [The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-stalls-of-barchester-cathedral)

The narrator who discovers and examines the box of papers.

### [The Uncommon Prayerbook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-uncommon-prayerbook)

The protagonist who acquires and investigates the uncommon prayerbook.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mr_somerton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters