# Mr. Runciman — The American Senator character guide

> Mr. Runciman in The American Senator by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Runciman

**First appearance:** 0003-iv-the-dillsborough-club

## Snapshot

The innkeeper of the Bush, heart and soul devoted to the Rufford interest, who nearly refuses a senator lodging and then charges him ten shillings for the sitting-room.

## Who they are

Mr. Runciman keeps the best inn in Dillsborough and knows exactly where his loyalties lie, which is why he almost turns Senator Gotobed away for sympathising with Goarly. Only Mrs. Runciman's calculation of ten shillings a day, and the memory that Lord Rufford himself had entertained the gentleman, persuades him to relent—though he still withholds the best sherry. His grudging hospitality measures how thoroughly the town closes ranks against an outsider who takes the wrong side.

## In the story

### [I: Dillsborough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/i-dillsborough)

Landlord of the Bush Inn; an enterprising man who builds new stables for hunting-horses and distributes fruit from Hoppet Hall.

### [The Dillsborough Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/iv-the-dillsborough-club)

Landlord of the Bush and host of the club; a masterful, pleasant man who dominates the conversation and defends Lord Rufford.

### [Not in Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/vi-not-in-love)

Innkeeper who informs Reginald of John Morton's impending arrival at Bragton and discusses the difficulty of supplying horses.

### [The Senator's Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xxix-the-senator-s-letter)

The innkeeper initially refuses the Senator accommodation but relents; later confronts the Senator about supporting Goarly, calling him a blackguard.

### [But There Is Some One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xlvii-but-there-is-some-one)

Informs Mr. Masters of Lord Rufford's invitation to Lawrence Twentyman and expresses concern about Lawrence's character.

### [Scrobby's Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxix-scrobby-s-trial)

A farmer who expresses outrage at the lenient sentence, wishing for harsher punishment such as hanging or transportation.

### [LXXII: “Bid Him Be a Man”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxii-bid-him-be-a-man)

Lends his pony to Mr. Masters and expresses concern about Larry's drinking.

### [Is It Tanti?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxiii-is-it-tanti)

Attempts to cheer up Lawrence Twentyman before the hunt, encouraging him to forget his troubles and ride.

### [The Last Days of Mary Masters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxxix-the-last-days-of-mary-masters)

Had been severe on Mary, but now her engagement silences criticism.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/mr_runciman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters