# Henry St. John — The History of Henry Esmond character guide

> Henry St. John in The History of Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. St. John, St. John, Mr. Secretary St. John, Lord Bolingbroke, Bolingbroke

**First appearance:** 0035-i-i-come-to-an-end-of-my-battles-and-bruises

## Who they are

The most brilliant talker and most dangerous friend in London, St. John dangles Parliament and preferment before Esmond while playing his own deeper game.

## In the story

### [I Meet an Old Acquaintance in Flanders, and Find My Mother's Grave and My Own Cradle There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xiii-i-meet-an-old-acquaintance-in-flanders-and-find-my-mother-s-grave-and-my-own-cradle-there)

Mentioned by Holt as a relation of General Webb.

### [General Webb Wins the Battle of Wynendael](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xv-general-webb-wins-the-battle-of-wynendael)

Praises Esmond's reputation and introduces him to Harley, reflecting Esmond's rise in Tory circles.

### [II: I Go Home, and Harp on the Old String](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ii-i-go-home-and-harp-on-the-old-string)

Debates with Esmond about ambition and love; mocks Esmond's devotion to Beatrix.

### [Mohun Appears for the Last Time in This History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/v-mohun-appears-for-the-last-time-in-this-history)

Holds out flattering hopes of advancement to Esmond; criticized for his tyrannical treatment of men of letters.

### [We Entertain a Very Distinguished Guest at Kensington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/x-we-entertain-a-very-distinguished-guest-at-kensington)

Described as brilliant but selfish, playing a double game between Hanover and St. Germains, and scheming to supplant Harley as the head of government.

### [A Great Scheme, and Who Balked It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xii-a-great-scheme-and-who-balked-it)

Lord Bolingbroke is portrayed as a treacherous double-dealer who betrays both King George and the Pretender.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/mr_st_john
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters