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The Forsyte Saga · Character

Old Gradman

Soames's faithful and elderly clerk, a keeper of family secrets.

minor

Also known as Old Gradman, Gradman, old Gradman, Thomas Gradman, the said Thomas Gradman

First appearance: part i iii soames prepares to take steps

Old Gradman shows up with force in Purely Forsyte Affairs. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Soames's faithful clerk, who manages Forsyte affairs, discusses trusts and the need for a new trustee, then walks to Covent Garden.
In the storyPurely Forsyte AffairsOpen this moment free

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In Purely Forsyte Affairs: Soames's faithful clerk, who manages Forsyte affairs, discusses trusts and the need for a new trustee, then walks to Covent Garden. Later, in The Last of the Old Forsytes: Assists Soames with…

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The fuller portrait of Old Gradman sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Old Gradman in part i iii soames prepares to take steps

Character Web

32 connections

A slice of how Old Gradman sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

GFGeorge ForsyteJOJobsonWAWarmstonBABalthasarYJYoung Jolyon F…OGOld Gradman

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Legal Professionals
  • Younger Generation
  • Extended Household and Bohemians
  • Soames's Inner Circle
  • Core Forsyte Family

+27 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

Fleur’s decision to “take the bit between her teeth” and pursue a secret marriage with Jon despite knowing the…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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In the story

Old Gradman appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Old Gradman unlock in the free preview.

See Old Gradman in part i iii soames prepares to take steps