The Hound of the Baskervilles · Character

Sir Charles Baskerville

The late master of Baskerville Hall, whose terrified death beside the moor gate turns a family legend into a case.

supporting

Also known as Sir Charles, poor Sir Charles, old Sir Charles, the late Sir Charles Baskerville

First appearance: The Curse of the Baskervilles

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

Recently deceased; his death under mysterious circumstances prompts the investigation.

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Sir Charles was the wealthy, well-liked squire whose body was found on the yew alley, his face frozen in a look of horror no doctor could explain. He had been nervous, waiting alone at night, and his heart — already weak — gave out under something the coroner could not name. His death is the wound the novel opens on: it gives Dr. Mortimer his errand, Holmes his puzzle, and the hound its first confirmed victim.

See Sir Charles Baskerville in The Hound of the Baskervilles Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

12 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Family
Friendship
Psychological

Character groups

Main Cast and Suspects
Protagonist

+7 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

Sherlock Holmes
professional · ambivalent
Holmes investigates the death of Sir Charles, piecing together the circumstances from… How this plays out →
Sir Henry Baskerville
family · positive
Dr. James Mortimer
friendship · positive
Miss Stapleton
psychological · negative
Mrs. Barrymore
professional · positive
Mr. Stapleton
rivalry · negative
Sherlock Holmes
professional · ambivalent
Holmes investigates the death of Sir Charles, piecing together the circumstances from… How this plays out →
Dr. James Mortimer
friendship · positive
Miss Stapleton
psychological · negative
Sir Henry Baskerville
family · positive
Mr. Stapleton
rivalry · negative
Dr. James Mortimer
friendship · positive

Sherlock Holmes
Holmes investigates the death of Sir Charles, piecing together the circumstances from reports and evidence.
Sir Henry Baskerville
Sir Charles was the uncle of Sir Henry, and his death leads to Henry inheriting the Baskerville estate.
Dr. James Mortimer
Mortimer was a close friend and physician to Sir Charles, deeply affected by his mysterious death.
Miss Stapleton
Miss Stapleton was used by her brother to lure Sir Charles to his death on the moor, acting as a decoy.
Mrs. Barrymore
Mrs. Barrymore served Sir Charles as housekeeper, and her husband was his butler, both loyal to the family.
Mr. Stapleton
Stapleton, as a secret Baskerville relative, engineered Sir Charles's death to clear his path to the inheritance.
Sherlock Holmes
Holmes investigates the death of Sir Charles, piecing together the circumstances from reports and evidence.
Dr. James Mortimer
Mortimer was a close friend and physician to Sir Charles, deeply affected by his mysterious death.
Miss Stapleton
Miss Stapleton was used by her brother to lure Sir Charles to his death on the moor, acting as a decoy.
Sir Henry Baskerville
Sir Charles was the uncle of Sir Henry, and his death leads to Henry inheriting the Baskerville estate.
Mr. Stapleton
Stapleton, as a secret Baskerville relative, engineered Sir Charles's death to clear his path to the inheritance.
Dr. James Mortimer
Mortimer was a close friend and physician to Sir Charles, deeply affected by his mysterious death.

Relationship notes

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

See Sir Charles Baskerville in The Curse of the Baskervilles

In the story

Sir Charles Baskerville appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Sir Charles Baskerville in The Curse of the Baskervilles

See Sir Charles Baskerville in The Hound of the Baskervilles