# Silas Van Burnam — That Affair Next Door character guide

> Silas Van Burnam in That Affair Next Door by Anna Katharine Green.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. Silas Van Burnam, Mr. Van Burnam

**First appearance:** 0004-iv-silas-van-burnam

## Who they are

The patriarch of the Van Burnam family.

## In the story

### [IV: Silas van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/iv-silas-van-burnam)

Arrives from the steamer, initially irascible and profane, but becomes subdued after viewing the body; insists Howard be kept away.

### [V: “This Is No One I Know.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/v-this-is-no-one-i-know)

Father of the Van Burnam sons; watches Howard with painful intentness and appears dejected.

### [New Facts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/vi-new-facts)

The father, visibly shaken by the murder declaration, silently nods when asked if he is interested in the details.

### [XII: The Keys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xii-the-keys)

Mentioned as the senior partner who threatened to dissolve the firm if Howard did not leave.

### [XIII: Howard van Burnam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xiii-howard-van-burnam)

The father; present in the background, hides his face in distress and leaves the room after Howard's breakdown.

### [A Serious Admission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xiv-a-serious-admission)

Present in the room; Howard avoids his eyes during testimony.

### [XV: A Reluctant Witness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xv-a-reluctant-witness)

Present in the courtroom, receives Howard back with a wistful air after his testimony.

### [The Little Pincushion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xviii-the-little-pincushion)

Prostrated by Howard's arrest and has shut himself in his room.

### [XLI: Secret History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/chapters/xli-secret-history)

Mentioned as the person whose office Ruth Oliver sought out to return the jewels.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters/silas_van_burnam
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/that_affair_next_door_se/characters