# Mister Potter — Short Fiction character guide

> Mister Potter in Short Fiction by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. John Hamilton Potter, Mr. Potter, Hamilton Potter, poor Mr. Potter, John Hamilton Potter

**First appearance:** 0000-when-papa-swore-in-hindustani

## Snapshot

A weary New York publisher on a doctor-ordered rest cure, Mr. Potter finds his English country holiday complicated by a pompous MP and a kindred-spirited redhead.

## Who they are

Mr. John Hamilton Potter has fled to Skeldings Hall for tranquillity after a nervous breakdown, only to find his hostess overwhelming, her houseguest Clifford Gandle insufferable, and himself hiding in cupboards to avoid them. His one consolation is Roberta Wickham, whose cheerful contempt for Gandle matches his own and who makes him feel, briefly, like a kindred soul. His sheepish confessions and quiet rebellion against the social obligations of a publisher on vacation anchor the story's gentle comedy of a man learning to stop apologising for wanting peace.

## Relationships

### [Clifford Gandle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters/clifford_gandle)

_professional_

Clifford Gandle and Mister Potter have a professional relationship, likely employer-employee or colleague-based.

### [Bobbie Wickham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters/bobbie_wickham)

_romantic_

Bobbie Wickham and Mister Potter are romantically involved, with a playful or mischievous dynamic.

### [Bobbie Wickham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters/bobbie_wickham)

_romantic_

Bobbie Wickham and Mister Potter are romantically involved, with a playful or mischievous dynamic.

### [Clifford Gandle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters/clifford_gandle)

_professional_

Clifford Gandle and Mister Potter have a professional relationship, likely employer-employee or colleague-based.

### [Clifford Gandle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters/clifford_gandle)

_professional_

Clifford Gandle and Mister Potter have a professional relationship, likely employer-employee or colleague-based.

### [Bobbie Wickham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters/bobbie_wickham)

_romantic_

Bobbie Wickham and Mister Potter are romantically involved, with a playful or mischievous dynamic.

## In the story

### [Mister Potter Takes a Rest Cure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/chapters/mister-potter-takes-a-rest-cure)

Founder of J. H. Potter, Inc., recovering from a nervous breakdown, staying at Skeldings Hall. Dislikes Clifford Gandle and is driven to consider suicide.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters/mister_potter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_42_se/characters