# Mr. Norman Urquhart — Strong Poison character guide

> Mr. Norman Urquhart in Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Urquhart, Both Mr. Urquhart, Neither Mr. Urquhart, Now Mr. Urquhart, Urquhart, this fellow Urquhart, one Mr. Norman Urquhart

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A cautious solicitor and the dead man's uncle, he treats rumors of arsenic with professional skepticism while quietly protecting his own interests.

## Who they are

Mr. Norman Urquhart is the kind of man who advises against libel actions and consults doctors before consulting police, a solicitor whose caution may conceal more than it reveals. When suspicion first surfaces about his nephew's death, he takes the sensible course of warning the accuser rather than pursuing the truth. His position as both grieving relative and legal adviser places him at the intersection of family loyalty and self-preservation.

## Relationships

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_rivalry_

Peter suspects Urquhart of murder and engages in a tense intellectual battle to expose his guilt.

### [Harriet Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/harriet_vane)

_psychological_

Harriet is manipulated and victimized by Urquhart, who frames her for the murder of Philip Boyes.

### [Philip Boyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/philip_boyes)

_rivalry_

Urquhart harbored resentment toward Boyes, ultimately leading to his murder.

### [Mrs. Wrayburn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mrs_wrayburn)

_social_

Urquhart and Mrs. Wrayburn are casual acquaintances, with her providing testimony that implicates him.

### [Bunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/bunter)

_rivalry_

Bunter assists Peter in surveilling and outmaneuvering Urquhart, viewing him as a dangerous adversary.

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_rivalry_

Peter suspects Urquhart of murder and engages in a tense intellectual battle to expose his guilt.

### [Harriet Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/harriet_vane)

_psychological_

Harriet is manipulated and victimized by Urquhart, who frames her for the murder of Philip Boyes.

### [Philip Boyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/philip_boyes)

_rivalry_

Urquhart harbored resentment toward Boyes, ultimately leading to his murder.

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_rivalry_

Peter suspects Urquhart of murder and engages in a tense intellectual battle to expose his guilt.

### [Harriet Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/harriet_vane)

_psychological_

Harriet is manipulated and victimized by Urquhart, who frames her for the murder of Philip Boyes.

### [Mrs. Wrayburn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mrs_wrayburn)

_social_

Urquhart and Mrs. Wrayburn are casual acquaintances, with her providing testimony that implicates him.

### [Mrs. Wrayburn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mrs_wrayburn)

_social_

Urquhart and Mrs. Wrayburn are casual acquaintances, with her providing testimony that implicates him.

## In the story

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

Absent from home due to a sick relative; Wimsey learns his address is at Mrs. Wrayburn's in Windle.

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

Mentioned as the master of the house, who questioned the servants about the eggs and chicken, and is involved with Mrs. Wrayburn's affairs.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/x)

Receives Wimsey in his office, discusses the Vane case and Philip Boyes' family, and mentions his visit to Mrs. Wrayburn.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xi)

Provides the will draft and explains the family history to Wimsey.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xiii)

Discussed as the solicitor who showed Wimsey a suspicious will draft typed on a machine bought only three years ago; the target of the investigation.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xiv)

Named as sole trustee in the Deed of Trust and recipient of Mrs. Wrayburn's letter.

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

Mentioned as being involved in the Megatherium Trust disaster, as reported by Freddy Arbuthnot.

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

The will is being sent to him; he is the sole executor and receives the residue of the estate.

### [The Arsenic Test](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xx)

Discussed as the prime suspect; evidence of his financial misdeeds and lies about the will is reviewed.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/chapters/xxii)

The solicitor accused of poisoning Philip Boyes; is arrested after Wimsey's confrontation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters/mr_norman_urquhart
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/strong_poison_se/characters