# Sir Hugh Clavering — The Claverings character guide > Sir Hugh Clavering in The Claverings by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Sir Hugh, Hugh, Hugh Clavering **First appearance:** 0010-xi-sir-hugh-and-his-brother-archie ## Snapshot Harry's cold, calculating elder brother, a baronet who counts pence, dodges his wife, and treats his siblings as expenses to be managed. ## Who they are Sir Hugh Clavering is a man who knows how many shillings are in a pound and resents every one of them that leaves his pocket. He keeps a house in Berkeley Square he would rather let, tolerates Archie only while Archie is useful, and regards Julia's widowhood chiefly as an opportunity for the family to acquire her money. His chilly, transactional view of everyone around him — including his own ailing wife — makes him the novel's clearest portrait of respectable selfishness and the moral weather Harry must navigate. ## Relationships ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/julia_brabazon) _family_ Julia is married to Sir Hugh, a cold and abusive husband, making this a strained familial relationship. ### [Harry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering) _family_ Harry and Sir Hugh are cousins, but their relationship is marked by rivalry and mutual dislike. ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/julia_brabazon) _family_ Julia is married to Sir Hugh, a cold and abusive husband, making this a strained familial relationship. ### [Harry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering) _family_ Harry and Sir Hugh are cousins, but their relationship is marked by rivalry and mutual dislike. ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/julia_brabazon) _family_ Julia is married to Sir Hugh, a cold and abusive husband, making this a strained familial relationship. ### [Harry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering) _family_ Harry and Sir Hugh are cousins, but their relationship is marked by rivalry and mutual dislike. ## In the story ### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/i-julia-brabazon) Mentioned as the head of Clavering Park, who does not love the estate except during partridge shooting; Julia has lived with him and his wife. ### [Lord Ongar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/iii-lord-ongar) Complains to his wife about Lord Ongar's overbearing behavior and impudence regarding the pheasants. ### [IV: Florence Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/iv-florence-burton) Reported to have spoken against Lady Ongar; absent from church; sends horses past the church gate. ### [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) Mentioned as someone who might accuse Lady Ongar of being false. ### [XI: Sir Hugh and His Brother Archie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xi-sir-hugh-and-his-brother-archie) Rude to his father and Florence; orders the baby removed; his behavior deepens the family quarrel. ### [Lady Ongar Takes Possession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xii-lady-ongar-takes-possession) Mentioned as having allowed his wife to invite Lady Ongar to Clavering, but Lady Ongar refuses due to his past treatment. ### [Let Her Know That You're There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xvii-let-her-know-that-you-re-there) Urges Archie to act quickly in pursuing Lady Ongar, dismissing concerns about propriety and suggesting Harry Clavering might be a rival. ### [Captain Clavering Makes His First Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xviii-captain-clavering-makes-his-first-attempt) Mentioned as having been difficult and possibly losing money; Archie tries to discuss him. ### [XX: Desolation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xx-desolation) Returns to Clavering Park after his son's death; shows no visible grief, leaves for London, and later returns for the funeral. ### [Yes; Wrong;—Certainly Wrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxi-yes-wrong-certainly-wrong) Mentioned as the father of the deceased child; Julia criticizes his lack of feeling. ### [The Day of the Funeral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxii-the-day-of-the-funeral) Angrily confronts Harry for interfering in family matters and defending Lady Ongar's reputation. ### [The Russian Spy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxiv-the-russian-spy) Sir Hugh pressures Archie to propose to Lady Ongar, discussing strategy in the railway carriage after the funeral. ### [Parting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxv-parting) Announces his departure to Norway for four months, treats his wife with cold indifference, and refuses any emotional farewell. ### [Captain Clavering Makes His Last Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxvi-captain-clavering-makes-his-last-attempt) Arranges for Archie to join the yachting trip and reveals that Lady Ongar intends to marry Harry Clavering. ### [XXXVIII: How to Dispose of a Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxviii-how-to-dispose-of-a-wife) Visits Lady Ongar to propose selling Ongar Park; prepares for yachting trip; questions Archie about his marriage proposal. ### [Farewell to Doodles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxix-farewell-to-doodles) Prepares to leave for Norway and confronts Sophie Gordeloup, refusing her extortion attempts. ### [XLV: Is She Mad?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xlv-is-she-mad) Sir Hugh is remembered by Hermione as a paragon, but Lady Ongar regards him as an enemy. His death brings a sense of relief to Lady Ongar. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/sir_hugh_clavering - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters