The Hound of the Baskervilles · Character

Barrymore

Baskerville Hall's imposing butler, whose candlelit movements through the corridors at night turn a loyal servant into Watson's first suspect.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Barrymore, this Barrymore

First appearance: Baskerville Hall

As a supporting figure in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Barrymore is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The butler who discovered Sir Charles's body and sent for Dr.

In the storyThe Curse of the BaskervillesOpen this moment free

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He and his wife have served the Baskerville family for years, and his striking looks and grave manner give nothing away. When Watson sees him signalling through a window in the small hours, suspicion falls hard on him,…

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Character Web

14 connections

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

Relationship types

Social
Professional
Other

Character groups

Main Cast and Suspects
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Dr. Watson reaches his psychological breaking point, openly adm…

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Relationships

Miss Stapleton
social · ambivalent
Barrymore, the butler, has minimal direct interaction with Miss Stapleton, but she is… How this plays out →
Sir Henry Baskerville
professional · ambivalent
Sherlock Holmes
professional · ambivalent
Selden
family · ambivalent
Sherlock Holmes
professional · ambivalent
Sir Henry Baskerville
professional · ambivalent
Sir Henry Baskerville
professional · ambivalent
Miss Stapleton
social · ambivalent
Barrymore, the butler, has minimal direct interaction with Miss Stapleton, but she is… How this plays out →

Miss Stapleton
Barrymore, the butler, has minimal direct interaction with Miss Stapleton, but she is known to him as a local resident.
Sir Henry Baskerville
Barrymore serves as the butler to Sir Henry, though his secretive behavior and loyalty to his wife create tension.
Sherlock Holmes
Barrymore is questioned by Holmes about his late-night signaling and his knowledge of the Stapletons.
Selden
Barrymore is the brother-in-law of Selden, the escaped convict, and secretly helps him by leaving food on the moor.
Sherlock Holmes
Barrymore is questioned by Holmes about his late-night signaling and his knowledge of the Stapletons.
Sir Henry Baskerville
Barrymore serves as the butler to Sir Henry, though his secretive behavior and loyalty to his wife create tension.
Sir Henry Baskerville
Barrymore serves as the butler to Sir Henry, though his secretive behavior and loyalty to his wife create tension.
Miss Stapleton
Barrymore, the butler, has minimal direct interaction with Miss Stapleton, but she is known to him as a local resident.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

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In the story

Barrymore appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Curse of the Baskervilles
The butler who discovered Sir Charles's body and sent for Dr. Mortimer.
Three Broken Threads
Mentioned as the butler with a full black beard; he and his wife each received five hundred pounds from Sir Charles's will; a telegram confirms he is at the Hall.
Baskerville Hall
Greets the party at Baskerville Hall; mentions Sir Charles's generosity and plans to start a business.
VII: The Stapletons of Merripit House
Denies that his wife could have been sobbing; his pallor and lie raise suspicion about his involvement in Sir Charles's death.
VIII: First Report of Dr. Watson
Questioned about the telegram; later seen signaling from the tower at night, which Watson and Sir Henry investigate.
IX: Second Report of Dr. Watson
Caught signaling from the window; reveals he is signaling to the convict Selden, his wife's brother.
X: Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson
Reveals to Watson that there is a second man hiding on the moor, and expresses his unease about the goings-on.
XIII: Fixing the Nets
Informed of Selden's death; feels relief but his wife weeps.

Chapter companion notes

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See Barrymore in The Curse of the Baskervilles