# Richard Steele — The History of Henry Esmond character guide

> Richard Steele in The History of Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Steele, Steele, Dick Steele, honest Dick, jovial Dick Steele

**First appearance:** 0021-iii-i-take-the-queen-s-pay-in-quin-s-regiment

## Snapshot

A jovial soldier-turned-writer, forever in debt and in love, whose generous heart makes him Henry Esmond's warmest and most human friend.

## Who they are

Dick Steele is all flames and raptures — courting, marrying, burying, and courting again, his purse always empty and his affections always full. He shines rather than sparkles, a bottle companion who treats every man as a friend rather than a butt, and his loyalty to Addison and Esmond never wavers. He matters because his warmth and improvidence embody the sentimental, fallible goodness that the novel sets against colder forms of ambition.

## Relationships

### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond)

_friendship_

Henry Esmond is a friend and admirer of Richard Steele, the essayist and playwright, sharing literary and social circles.

### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond)

_friendship_

Henry Esmond is a friend and admirer of Richard Steele, the essayist and playwright, sharing literary and social circles.

### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond)

_friendship_

Henry Esmond is a friend and admirer of Richard Steele, the essayist and playwright, sharing literary and social circles.

## In the story

### [The Issue of the Plots—The Death of Thomas, Third Viscount of Castlewood; and the Imprisonment of His Viscountess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vi-the-issue-of-the-plots-the-death-of-thomas-third-viscount-of-castlewood-and-the-imprisonment-of-his-viscountess)

Appears as a soldier named Dick Steele, called in to interpret a Greek document found among the papers.

### [II: I Come to the End of My Captivity, but Not of My Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ii-i-come-to-the-end-of-my-captivity-but-not-of-my-trouble)

Now Captain Steele of Lucas's Fusiliers and secretary to Lord Cutts; visits Esmond in prison, brings news of the ladies, and acts as Esmond's emissary to Lady Castlewood.

### [IV: Recapitulations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/iv-recapitulations)

Helps Henry spend some of his guineas on an entertainment at the Garter in Pall Mall.

### [V: I Go on the Vigo Bay Expedition, Taste Saltwater and Smell Powder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/v-i-go-on-the-vigo-bay-expedition-taste-saltwater-and-smell-powder)

Mentioned in a philosophical reflection on friendship and prosperity; his coach and fine house in Bloomsbury drew envy.

### [X: An Old Story About a Fool and a Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/x-an-old-story-about-a-fool-and-a-woman)

Esmond's friend; praises Lord Castlewood's charm and compares him to Prince Hal; witnesses the court squabble between the Duchess and Beatrix.

### [XI: The Famous Mr. Joseph Addison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xi-the-famous-mr-joseph-addison)

Esmond's friend; enthusiastically introduces Esmond to Addison and praises Addison's poetry.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/richard_steele
- 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