# Theodore Burton — The Claverings character guide > Theodore Burton in The Claverings by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Theodore, Mr. Burton, Theodore Burton **First appearance:** 0003-iv-florence-burton ## Snapshot Florence's favourite brother, a reading man of Onslow Crescent whose friendly warmth and steady principles make him the moral yardstick Harry Clavering cannot comfortably avoid. ## Who they are Theodore Burton is the brother-in-law Harry Clavering keeps failing to dodge, a principled office man who invites his future relative to dine and read in Onslow Crescent with disarming directness. He is the family's quiet standard-bearer: Florence calls him perfect as husband, brother, and man, and his approval carries weight Harry feels even when he resents it. In the early arc he embodies the respectable life Harry has chosen, making Harry's private longings and public engagement increasingly hard to reconcile. ## Relationships ### [Harry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering) _family_ Theodore is Harry's brother-in-law, and they have a cordial, respectful family relationship. ### [Harry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering) _family_ Theodore is Harry's brother-in-law, and they have a cordial, respectful family relationship. ### [Harry Clavering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/harry_clavering) _family_ Theodore is Harry's brother-in-law, and they have a cordial, respectful family relationship. ## In the story ### [Harry Clavering Chooses His Profession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/ii-harry-clavering-chooses-his-profession) Mentioned as a partner in the engineering firm Beilby and Burton, where Harry will work. ### [Lord Ongar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/iii-lord-ongar) Finalizes Harry's pupilage, shows him around Stratton for lodgings, and hosts him for dinner. ### [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) Florence's brother, who invites Harry to dinner and is described as a perfect husband and brother. ### [The House in Onslow Crescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/viii-the-house-in-onslow-crescent) Hosts the dinner; Harry observes him preparing gravy with a silver-pot and fire, surprising him with this domestic skill. ### [Too Prudent by Half](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/ix-too-prudent-by-half) Theodore is mentioned as agreeing with Florence's prudent view, though he is not directly present in the chapter. ### [Count Pateroff and His Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xiv-count-pateroff-and-his-sister) Sarcastically remarks that Harry is only fit to go about tied to a woman's apron-string. ### [An Evening in Bolton Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xv-an-evening-in-bolton-street) Works with Harry at the office; jokes with Cecilia about Harry's diligence. ### [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) Angry at Harry's absence from the office, writes a letter demanding a meeting about Florence. ### [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) Arranges the meeting between Harry and Cecilia, struggles with how to redress the injury to his sister Florence, and later interrupts the conversation. ### [Harry Clavering's Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxi-harry-clavering-s-confession) Mentioned as having interrupted Harry's conversation with Cecilia; Harry fears his judgment. ### [Florence Burton Packs Up a Packet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxii-florence-burton-packs-up-a-packet) Mentioned as the recipient of messages from Stratton; his wife Cecilia is concerned about his potential anger over her plans. ### [XXXVII: What Lady Ongar Thought About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxvii-what-lady-ongar-thought-about-it) Mentioned as having condemned Harry and disapproving of his wife's scheme. ### [Showing How Mrs. Burton Fought Her Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xl-showing-how-mrs-burton-fought-her-battle) Supports Florence's decision to leave but does not actively persuade her; shows affection by kissing her. ### [The Sheep Returns to the Fold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xli-the-sheep-returns-to-the-fold) Mentioned as the rector; expresses concern about Harry possibly marrying Julia for money, but defers to Mrs. Clavering's authority. ### [Restitution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xlii-restitution) Meets Harry leaving Onslow Crescent and questions him about returning to work. ### [Lady Ongar's Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xliii-lady-ongar-s-revenge) Walks with Harry from the chambers and resumes friendly terms, talking about Metropolitan railways. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/theodore_burton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters