# Walter Gerard — Sybil character guide > Walter Gerard in Sybil by Benjamin Disraeli. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Walter, Gerard, Master Gerard, Mr. Gerard, Mr. Walter Gerard **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot Sybil's father, a proud working man and Chartist leader whose tenderness with his daughter sits uneasily beside the conspiracy he is about to be arrested for. ## Who they are Gerard embraces Sybil with more than usual tenderness before they part, then goes to a room where five men plan a National Holiday and the rights of Labour. He counsels prudence and protects the benevolent even as he conspires against the State, a man whose dignity is inseparable from his danger. His double life — loving father, hunted radical — is the engine of the novel's middle act. ## In the story ### [Sybil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/sybil) Sybil's father, a working-class leader and advocate for the poor. ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-i) Introduced as a proud and intelligent working-class man, a leader among the Chartists, and father to Sybil. ### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-ii) A working-class man and father to Sybil, who is deeply involved in the political and social struggles of the poor, representing the voice of the Chartist movement. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v) The elder stranger who defends the monastic landlords and laments the loss of the yeoman class. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi) The elder stranger encountered by Egremont in the cloister garden; he speaks briefly and departs with his companion toward Mowbray. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/viii) Sybil's father; recalls the family's lawsuit and the loss of their lands, and expresses sympathy for the oppressed. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ix) Gerard walks with Stephen Morley through Mowbray, observing the town and its industrial districts. ### [The Temple of the Muses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/x) Visits the Temple of the Muses with Morley to seek information about Hatton. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as a friend of Warner who earns two pounds a week and has a daughter Sybil. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned as Sybil's father; his daughter acts on his behalf to help the Warners. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xvi) Hosts Egremont for dinner, speaks of the population crisis and the degradation of the people, and shares his hopes and concerns about Sybil's future. ### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-iii) Sybil's father, a working-class leader and advocate for reform. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v) Hosts Egremont and debates the historical and ongoing oppression of the working classes; mentions his friend Stephen Morley. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as Sybil's father, who works for the Traffords and is loved deeply by Sybil. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/viii) Works as inspector at Trafford's factory; mocks the aristocratic visitors; reveals to Egremont his knowledge of Lord de Mowbray's questionable title and the instability of noble fortunes. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ix) Introduces Egremont to Morley; recounts Lord Marney's visit to the works; expresses nostalgia for the old business of finding Hatton. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/x) Present at the cottage; expresses regret at Egremont's departure; discusses the newspaper report about Lord Marney. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-iv) Gerard remains a voice for the working class and a father figure to Sybil. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/iv) Addresses the torchlight meeting on Mowbray Moor, stirring the crowd with his oratory. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v) Tall delegate who speaks with Lord Valentine, defends the working classes, and later visits Egremont. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as Sybil's father, absent from home but expected to return; appears at the end of the chapter. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as a potential source of information about Hatton's religion; Morley plans to ask him about Hatton. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/viii) Embarrassed and unenthusiastic, he confirms Egremont's identity to Sybil. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ix) Conferes with Hatton about old times and the claim to Mowbray Castle; is described as a great orator and leading delegate. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/x) Walter Gerard is mentioned as Sybil's father and the son of a baron, whose rightful title Hatton contemplates restoring. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xiii) The claimant whose writ of right threatens Lord de Mowbray's estates. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xv) Gerard is mentioned as having been less suspicious of Egremont, believing he was hiding from creditors. His trust in Egremont contrasts with Sybil's later shock. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-v) Gerard remains a key figure in the Chartist movement and is concerned for his daughter's safety. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as Sybil's father, who faces rivals and secret foes in the Convention. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii) Sybil fears he is surrounded by unworthy men and may compromise himself; Egremont advises he leave London to avoid government action. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/iii) Defends his involvement with the Convention and the Birmingham outbreak, but ultimately agrees to return to Mowbray after the council. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/iv) Walter Gerard is the subject of the crisis; he is conspiring against the state and faces imminent arrest. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v) Sybil's father, who is not present at the coffeehouse; Sybil seeks him urgently to warn him. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi) Sybil's father, who is in great danger and whom she is desperately trying to reach. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/viii) Leads the Chartist meeting, argues for the National Holiday, and fiercely defends Sybil from arrest. He is taken into custody. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ix) Sybil's father, imprisoned and deeply implicated in the Chartist activities; Sybil is unable to see him before her release. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/x) Returns to Mowbray after being arrested and bailed; greeted by a massive procession of the Trades Unions. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xi) Referenced as the rightful claimant to the Mowbray estates; Hatton and Morley discuss his legal defense and the secret documents that could prove his title. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-vi) Gerard is imprisoned and later released after a year and a half, underscoring the repression of Chartist leaders. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii) Imprisoned for eighteen months in York Castle; released and returned to Mowbray; refuses charity and works as an artisan. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v) Gerard is restless and hopeful about a simultaneous strike, though he promises not to incite the local workers. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ix) Mentioned as a potential popular leader who could have moved the people, but is not present in the chapter. ### [The March on Mowedale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/x) Appears on the lodge roof to address the mob, using his popularity to calm them and defend Trafford. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xi) Gerard goes to Trafford's works to prevent trouble after the Bishop's messengers were rebuffed; Sybil is anxious to rejoin him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/walter_gerard - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters