# Harry Clavering — The Claverings character guide > Harry Clavering in The Claverings by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Henry Clavering, Reverend Henry Clavering, Harry, Clavering **First appearance:** 0001-ii-harry-clavering-chooses-his-profession ## Snapshot A handsome, easily-led young clergyman whose engagement to Florence Burton is quietly undermined by the return of the woman who once threw him over. ## Who they are Harry Clavering is a college fellow and rector's son, admired for his looks and talk but cursed with a fickleness his creator cheerfully admits to. Engaged to the steady, adoring Florence Burton, he cannot quite close the door on Julia Brabazon, now Lady Ongar, who jilted him for a richer match and has come back into his orbit. His wavering between gratitude, vanity, and genuine affection drives the novel's central romantic suspense, and his weakness is the fault-line along which everyone else's plans crack. ## Relationships ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/julia_brabazon) _romantic_ Harry is deeply in love with Julia, but she jilts him for a wealthier man, creating a painful romantic tension. ### [Florence Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/florence_burton) _romantic_ Florence is Harry's devoted fiancée, representing a stable and loving romantic bond. ### [Sir Hugh Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/sir_hugh_clavering) _family_ Harry and Sir Hugh are cousins, but their relationship is marked by rivalry and mutual dislike. ### [Fanny Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/fanny_clavering) _family_ Fanny is Harry's sister, and they share a warm, supportive sibling bond. ### [Theodore Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/theodore_burton) _family_ Theodore is Harry's brother-in-law, and they have a cordial, respectful family relationship. ### [Count Pateroff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/count_pateroff) _rivalry_ Count Pateroff is a rival for Julia's affections, creating antagonism with Harry. ### [Sophie Gordeloup](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/sophie_gordeloup) _psychological_ Sophie attempts to manipulate Harry, creating a tense and distrustful dynamic. ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/julia_brabazon) _romantic_ Harry is deeply in love with Julia, but she jilts him for a wealthier man, creating a painful romantic tension. ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/julia_brabazon) _romantic_ Harry is deeply in love with Julia, but she jilts him for a wealthier man, creating a painful romantic tension. ### [Florence Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/florence_burton) _romantic_ Florence is Harry's devoted fiancée, representing a stable and loving romantic bond. ### [Sir Hugh Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/sir_hugh_clavering) _family_ Harry and Sir Hugh are cousins, but their relationship is marked by rivalry and mutual dislike. ### [Florence Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/florence_burton) _romantic_ Florence is Harry's devoted fiancée, representing a stable and loving romantic bond. ## In the story ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/i-julia-brabazon) Confronts Julia in the gardens, accuses her of jilting him, and expresses his anger and hurt over her engagement to Lord Ongar. ### [Harry Clavering Chooses His Profession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/ii-harry-clavering-chooses-his-profession) Announces his decision to pursue civil engineering instead of the clergy, citing ambition and the example of successful engineers like Beilby. ### [Lord Ongar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/iii-lord-ongar) Rides to Stratton to arrange his pupilage, brooding over his lost love Julia and determined to succeed despite his misery. ### [IV: Florence Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/iv-florence-burton) Reflects on his engagement to Florence and his past with Julia; returns home to Clavering for Christmas; visits Lady Clavering. ### [Lady Ongar's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/v-lady-ongar-s-return) Agrees to arrange lodgings and meet Lady Ongar; reflects on his past love for Julia and his current engagement to Florence. ### [The Rev. Samuel Saul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/vi-the-rev-samuel-saul) Initially disapproves of Mr. Saul's proposal but later reconciles after a conversation with him. ### [Some Scenes in the Life of a Countess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/vii-some-scenes-in-the-life-of-a-countess) Visits Lady Ongar, listens to her confessions, and reflects on his engagement to Florence Burton. ### [The House in Onslow Crescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/viii-the-house-in-onslow-crescent) Walks to Onslow Crescent after visiting Lady Ongar, reflecting on her story and his own engagement; he is warmly received by the Burtons and enjoys the evening. ### [Too Prudent by Half](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/ix-too-prudent-by-half) Harry is impatient and angry at Florence's decision to delay marriage, feeling his sacrifices are undervalued. ### [Florence Burton at the Rectory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/x-florence-burton-at-the-rectory) Drives Florence to the rectory, argues for an early marriage, and discusses finances with his father. ### [XI: Sir Hugh and His Brother Archie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xi-sir-hugh-and-his-brother-archie) Defends Florence against Sir Hugh's slight and refuses Lady Clavering's request to promote Archie's suit to Julia. ### [A Visitor Calls at Ongar Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xiii-a-visitor-calls-at-ongar-park) Julia thinks of Harry frequently, recalling their past love and her betrayal. She hopes he might return to her, though she knows nothing of Florence Burton. ### [Count Pateroff and His Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xiv-count-pateroff-and-his-sister) Dines with Count Pateroff and later visits Madame Gordeloup; feels disturbed by their influence on Lady Ongar. ### [An Evening in Bolton Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xv-an-evening-in-bolton-street) Struggles with his conscience and emotions after receiving Lady Ongar's note; visits her in Bolton Street. ### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xvi-the-rivals) The object of both Julia's and Florence's affections; Julia reflects on his honesty and love, while Florence adores him as her perfect lover. ### [Let Her Know That You're There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xvii-let-her-know-that-you-re-there) Mentioned by Sir Hugh as a potential rival for Lady Ongar's affections, despite his engagement to Florence Burton. ### [XIX: The Blue Posts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xix-the-blue-posts) Visits Sophie Gordeloup to get Count Pateroff's address, writes a note to the count, attends dinner at the Blue Posts, and delivers Lady Ongar's message to Pateroff. ### [Yes; Wrong;—Certainly Wrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxi-yes-wrong-certainly-wrong) Visits Lady Ongar to report on his meeting with Count Pateroff; struggles with his loyalty to Florence Burton and his lingering feelings for Julia. ### [The Day of the Funeral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxii-the-day-of-the-funeral) Struggles with guilt over his divided loyalties between Florence and Lady Ongar; confronts Sir Hugh about his treatment of Lady Ongar. ### [XXV: “What Would Men Say of You?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxv-what-would-men-say-of-you) Confesses his engagement to Florence Burton to Lady Ongar, then offers to renounce it for her, torn between love and duty. ### [The Man Who Dusted His Boots with His Handkerchief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxvi-the-man-who-dusted-his-boots-with-his-handkerchief) Avoids the office and his friends, tormented by his conflicting promises to Florence and Julia, seeks distraction in billiards and smoking. ### [Freshwater Gate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxvii-freshwater-gate) Harry is the object of Lady Ongar's affection, and Sophie sees him as a major obstacle to her plans. ### [XXVIII: What Cecilia Burton Did for Her Sister-in-Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxviii-what-cecilia-burton-did-for-her-sister-in-law) Visits Onslow Crescent as promised, confesses his renewed attachment to Lady Ongar to Cecilia, and is deeply conflicted. ### [Doodles in Mount Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxx-doodles-in-mount-street) Harry is referenced in Sophie's letter as being entangled with Lady Ongar, though he does not appear in the chapter. ### [Harry Clavering's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxi-harry-clavering-s-confession) Wracked with guilt and self-disgust, Harry writes a confessional letter to Cecilia Burton detailing his divided affections between Florence and Julia. ### [Florence Burton Packs Up a Packet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxii-florence-burton-packs-up-a-packet) Absent from London, sends a note and a letter via his mother, claiming illness; Florence and Cecilia suspect his involvement with Lady Ongar. ### [Showing Why Harry Clavering Was Wanted at the Rectory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxiii-showing-why-harry-clavering-was-wanted-at-the-rectory) Summoned home by his mother to mediate the quarrel between his father and Mr. Saul. ### [Showing Why Harry Clavering Was Wanted at the Rectory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxiii-showing-why-harry-clavering-was-wanted-at-the-rectory) The rector, who quarrels with Mr. Saul over his suit for Fanny and insists the marriage is impossible due to lack of money and social class. ### [Mr. Saul’s Abode](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxiv-mr-saul-s-abode) Returns home unwell and troubled, confesses to his mother his renewed feelings for Lady Ongar and his broken engagement with Florence. ### [XXXVII: What Lady Ongar Thought About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxvii-what-lady-ongar-thought-about-it) Discussed as the object of contention between Florence and Lady Ongar; his illness at Clavering is mentioned. ### [XXXVIII: How to Dispose of a Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxviii-how-to-dispose-of-a-wife) Mentioned in Lady Ongar's thoughts as a possible recipient of Ongar Park. ### [Showing How Mrs. Burton Fought Her Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xl-showing-how-mrs-burton-fought-her-battle) Discussed as being ill and possibly conflicted between Florence and Julia; his intentions remain unclear. ### [The Sheep Returns to the Fold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xli-the-sheep-returns-to-the-fold) Convalescing from illness; reads Florence's letter and feels shame and renewed desire for her; agrees to write to her and return the parcel. ### [Restitution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xlii-restitution) Writes a confession letter to Lady Ongar about his engagement to Florence Burton, then visits Onslow Crescent and meets Theodore Burton. ### [Lady Ongar's Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xliii-lady-ongar-s-revenge) Visits Lady Ongar reluctantly, feeling like a sheep between Cecilia and Florence beforehand. ### [XLIV: Showing What Happened Off Heligoland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xliv-showing-what-happened-off-heligoland) Reflects on the deaths of his cousins and his new position as heir to the baronetcy and estate. ### [XLV: Is She Mad?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xlv-is-she-mad) Lady Ongar reflects on Harry's future as Sir Harry Clavering, imagining him as a successful and loving husband, and regrets her own past betrayal of him. ### [Showing How Things Settled Themselves at the Rectory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xlvii-showing-how-things-settled-themselves-at-the-rectory) His letter brings news of his cousins' death; he is eager for an immediate marriage. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xlviii-conclusion) Discusses Fanny's engagement with his father, defending Mr. Saul as a gentleman. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters