# Sir Charles Latham — Suspense character guide

> Sir Charles Latham in Suspense by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Charles Latham of Latham Hall, le chevalier Latham, Charles Latham, the Sir Charles

**First appearance:** 0001-suspense

## Snapshot

Gouty, commanding, and still remembered in Italy for a mysterious rush back decades ago, Sir Charles Latham sends his son abroad with pistols and a warning.

## Who they are

Sir Charles runs Latham Hall with the same firm hand he once used on Tuscan roads, lending his servant Spire to Cosmo with instructions to keep the pistols loaded and to stay out of the way. His own youthful journey to Italy—and whatever sent him hurrying back—remains a family secret that Spire only half-guesses. He matters because Cosmo is unmistakably his father's son, and because the older man's buried Italian history quietly rhymes with the one his son is about to make.

## Relationships

### [Cosmo Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham)

_family_

Sir Charles is Cosmo's father, a stern and disapproving figure whose expectations weigh heavily on Cosmo.

### [Spire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/spire)

_professional_

Spire serves as Sir Charles's agent, carrying out tasks and gathering information for the elder Latham.

### [Spire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/spire)

_professional_

Spire serves as Sir Charles's agent, carrying out tasks and gathering information for the elder Latham.

### [Cosmo Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham)

_family_

Sir Charles is Cosmo's father, a stern and disapproving figure whose expectations weigh heavily on Cosmo.

### [Cosmo Latham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/cosmo_latham)

_family_

Sir Charles is Cosmo's father, a stern and disapproving figure whose expectations weigh heavily on Cosmo.

### [Spire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/spire)

_professional_

Spire serves as Sir Charles's agent, carrying out tasks and gathering information for the elder Latham.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-i-ii)

The English baronet who previously hosted the D'Armands at Latham Hall and continues to support them, remembered for his wisdom and calm belief in the future.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-i-iii)

Reflects on Adèle's marriage, his past with the Marquise, and his bitterness toward the Count. He instructs Cosmo to visit the Marquis.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-v)

Referenced as the one person the Countess might have confided in.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/chapters/part-ii-vi)

Mentioned as Cosmo's father, who sympathized with Adèle as a child and is considered one of the honest men in the world.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters/sir_charles_latham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/suspense_se/characters