The Hound of the Baskervilles · Character

Sir Henry Baskerville

The blunt Canadian heir who inherits a cursed estate, a legendary hound, and a growing attraction to the one neighbor he shouldn't trust.

major

Also known as Henry, Sir Henry, Baskerville, young Baskerville, Henry Baskerville

First appearance: IV: Sir Henry Baskerville

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

Mentioned as the heir to the Baskerville estate, expected to arrive from Canada.

In the storyThe Hound of the BaskervillesOpen this moment free

Sir Henry arrives from Canada to claim Baskerville Hall, cheerful and skeptical of the family legend, yet earnest enough to ask Stapleton twice whether the supernatural could be real. He is active, warm, and a little reckless — exactly the kind of man a lonely moor and a beautiful neighbor can draw out. His presence forces the curse to become a live threat rather than a dusty story, and his safety becomes the clock the whole plot runs on.

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

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Character Web

20 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Friendship
Rivalry

Character groups

Protagonist
Main Cast and Suspects

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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 · positive
Holmes is hired to protect Sir Henry and solve the mystery of the Baskerville curse,… How this plays out →
Mrs. Barrymore
professional · ambivalent
Dr. Watson
friendship · positive
Dr. James Mortimer
professional · positive
Mr. Stapleton
rivalry · negative
Sir Charles Baskerville
family · positive
Barrymore
professional · ambivalent
Sherlock Holmes
professional · positive
Holmes is hired to protect Sir Henry and solve the mystery of the Baskerville curse,… How this plays out →
Dr. James Mortimer
professional · positive
Dr. Watson
friendship · positive
Mrs. Barrymore
professional · ambivalent
Mrs. Barrymore
professional · ambivalent

Sherlock Holmes
Holmes is hired to protect Sir Henry and solve the mystery of the Baskerville curse, acting as his detective and protector.
Mrs. Barrymore
Mrs. Barrymore is the housekeeper at Baskerville Hall, serving Sir Henry with a mix of loyalty and hidden distress.
Dr. Watson
Watson becomes a close companion and protector to Sir Henry during his stay at Baskerville Hall, sharing meals and confidences.
Dr. James Mortimer
Mortimer acts as the family physician and advisor to Sir Henry, helping him settle into his inheritance.
Mr. Stapleton
Stapleton, secretly a Baskerville heir, plots to murder Sir Henry to inherit the estate, feigning friendship while planning his death.
Sir Charles Baskerville
Sir Charles was the uncle of Sir Henry, and his death leads to Henry inheriting the Baskerville estate.
Barrymore
Barrymore serves as the butler to Sir Henry, though his secretive behavior and loyalty to his wife create tension.
Sherlock Holmes
Holmes is hired to protect Sir Henry and solve the mystery of the Baskerville curse, acting as his detective and protector.
Dr. James Mortimer
Mortimer acts as the family physician and advisor to Sir Henry, helping him settle into his inheritance.
Dr. Watson
Watson becomes a close companion and protector to Sir Henry during his stay at Baskerville Hall, sharing meals and confidences.
Mrs. Barrymore
Mrs. Barrymore is the housekeeper at Baskerville Hall, serving Sir Henry with a mix of loyalty and hidden distress.
Mrs. Barrymore
Mrs. Barrymore is the housekeeper at Baskerville Hall, serving Sir Henry with a mix of loyalty and hidden distress.

Relationship notes

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

See Sir Henry Baskerville in IV: Sir Henry Baskerville

In the story

Sir Henry Baskerville appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Mentioned as the heir to the Baskerville estate, expected to arrive from Canada.
III: The Problem
The heir to Baskerville Hall, arriving from Canada; not yet present but is the subject of the consultation.
IV: Sir Henry Baskerville
Arrives in London, receives a warning letter, and firmly resolves to go to Baskerville Hall despite the danger.
Three Broken Threads
Furious over the theft of his boots, first a new brown one then an old black one; speaks in a broad Western dialect when angry; decides to go to Baskerville Hall at the end of the week.
Baskerville Hall
Travels to Devonshire, expresses delight at the scenery, and feels uneasy in the gloomy hall.
VII: The Stapletons of Merripit House
Breakfasts with Watson; dismisses the gloom of the Hall; remains unaware of the deeper mysteries.
VIII: First Report of Dr. Watson
Shows interest in Miss Stapleton; questions Barrymore about the telegram; visits the yew alley and the scene of Sir Charles's death.
IX: Second Report of Dr. Watson
Participates in the night watch and confronts Barrymore; shows infatuation with Miss Stapleton.
X: Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson
In a black reaction after the night's excitements, silent and distrait, his nerves shaken by the sound on the moor.
XI: The Man on the Tor
Mentioned as staying behind at Baskerville Hall while Watson goes to Coombe Tracey.
Death on the Moor
Mistakenly believed dead; his tweed suit is found on the body of Selden.
XIII: Fixing the Nets
Initially hurt by Holmes's apparent departure but agrees to follow instructions, including walking home across the moor.
XIV: The Hound of the Baskervilles
Attacked by the hound but rescued; later falls ill with fever.
XV: A Retrospection
Mentioned as having called on Holmes and Watson that afternoon, preparing for a long voyage.

Chapter companion notes

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See Sir Henry Baskerville in IV: Sir Henry Baskerville

See Sir Henry Baskerville in The Hound of the Baskervilles