# Lord Emsworth — Something New character guide

> Lord Emsworth in Something New by P. G. Wodehouse.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Emsworth, the absentminded Lord Emsworth, the Earl of Emsworth, Earl of Emsworth

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

The dreamy, absent-minded Earl of Blandings, happiest among his gardens and weeds, who leaves his guests to fend for themselves.

## Who they are

Lord Emsworth belongs to the school of hosts who prefer to be left alone to amuse themselves, pottering about the garden in an old coat while his guests grumble on the terraces. His placid detachment — he cannot imagine anyone unhappy at Blandings when the buds are bursting — makes him comically oblivious to the romantic and financial storms brewing under his roof. His inability to manage his son Freddie or his household sets the chaotic stage on which the novel's schemers operate.

## Relationships

### [Rupert Baxter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/rupert_baxter)

_professional_

Baxter is Lord Emsworth's secretary, a formal employer-employee relationship with tension.

### [J. Preston Peters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/j_preston_peters)

_social_

They are fellow aristocrats and acquaintances, with Peters visiting Emsworth's estate.

### [Freddie Threepwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/freddie_threepwood)

_family_

Freddie is Lord Emsworth's son, a father-son relationship marked by mild conflict.

### [Ashe Marson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/ashe_marson)

_social_

They are host and guest, with Ashe staying at Emsworth's estate as a visitor.

### [Freddie Threepwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/freddie_threepwood)

_family_

Freddie is Lord Emsworth's son, a father-son relationship marked by mild conflict.

### [Ashe Marson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/ashe_marson)

_social_

They are host and guest, with Ashe staying at Emsworth's estate as a visitor.

### [J. Preston Peters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/j_preston_peters)

_social_

They are fellow aristocrats and acquaintances, with Peters visiting Emsworth's estate.

### [J. Preston Peters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/j_preston_peters)

_social_

They are fellow aristocrats and acquaintances, with Peters visiting Emsworth's estate.

### [Rupert Baxter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/rupert_baxter)

_professional_

Baxter is Lord Emsworth's secretary, a formal employer-employee relationship with tension.

### [Rupert Baxter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/rupert_baxter)

_professional_

Baxter is Lord Emsworth's secretary, a formal employer-employee relationship with tension.

### [Freddie Threepwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/freddie_threepwood)

_family_

Freddie is Lord Emsworth's son, a father-son relationship marked by mild conflict.

### [Ashe Marson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/ashe_marson)

_social_

They are host and guest, with Ashe staying at Emsworth's estate as a visitor.

## In the story

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

Freddie's father, who is pleased about Freddie's engagement to Aline Peters and agrees to host George Emerson at Blandings.

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

Lord Emsworth dines at the Senior Conservative Club, chats with Adams about Mr. Peters and the engagement, and is observed in his absent-minded manner.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as the owner of Blandings Castle and brother of Lady Ann Warblington.

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

The absentminded host who neglects his guests, preferring to potter in the garden.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/chapters/viii)

Lord Emsworth firmly ends the dinner scene by ordering everyone to bed, showing his disapproval of Baxter's behavior.

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

Lord Emsworth is present during Baxter's search, pottering about and eventually chuckling at Baxter's sooty face.

### [The Missing Scarab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/chapters/x)

Informs Mr. Peters about the stolen scarab and is relieved by his magnanimous reaction.

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

Sits by Freddie's sick bed, shows tenderness, and decides to renew Freddie's allowance and let him return to London.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters/lord_emsworth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/something_new_se/characters