# Clifford — The King in Yellow character guide

> Clifford in The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Monsieur Clifford, Mr. Clifford, Foxhall Clifford, Jacqueline

**First appearance:** 0002-the-king-in-yellow

## Who they are

A brilliant, harebrained painter whose Salon triumph and scandalous charm conceal how little he can resist anything — wine, women, or the wrong book.

## Relationships

### [Hastings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/hastings)

_friendship_

Clifford and Hastings are close companions, often sharing adventures and confidences in the bohemian underworld.

### [the girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/the_girl)

_romantic_

Clifford is also drawn to the girl, creating a love triangle with Hastings that is marked by tension and unspoken rivalry.

### [Selby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/selby)

_friendship_

Clifford and Selby are loyal friends and fellow artists, supporting each other through the trials of bohemian life.

### [Rue Barrée](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/rue_barree)

_social_

Clifford is a regular at Rue Barrée, a café and social hub where he interacts with the bohemian crowd.

### [Valentine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/valentine)

_friendship_

Clifford and Valentine share a warm friendship, often collaborating on artistic projects and enjoying each other's company.

### [Cécile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/cecile)

_romantic_

Cécile is a former lover of Clifford, and their interactions are tinged with lingering affection and unresolved regret.

### [Rowden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/rowden)

_rivalry_

Clifford and Rowden are artistic rivals, frequently competing for commissions and critical acclaim in the Parisian art world.

### [the girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/the_girl)

_romantic_

Clifford is also drawn to the girl, creating a love triangle with Hastings that is marked by tension and unspoken rivalry.

### [Hastings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/hastings)

_friendship_

Clifford and Hastings are close companions, often sharing adventures and confidences in the bohemian underworld.

### [Selby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/selby)

_friendship_

Clifford and Selby are loyal friends and fellow artists, supporting each other through the trials of bohemian life.

### [Valentine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/valentine)

_friendship_

Clifford and Valentine share a warm friendship, often collaborating on artistic projects and enjoying each other's company.

### [Hastings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/hastings)

_friendship_

Clifford and Hastings are close companions, often sharing adventures and confidences in the bohemian underworld.

## In the story

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/iii)

Presented to Hastings by Dr. Byram; has a dog that chases a policeman; leaves to catch a train to Versailles.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/iv)

Defends Hastings against Laffat's mockery, lives opposite Hastings, and later dines with Valentine who confides in him about Hastings.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/v)

Skilled sportsman; initially annoyed by Rowden's inclusion of Hastings but later leads the fishing expedition.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/vi)

Found drunk in his studio after a night out, throws a shoe at the door, and eventually goes to bed.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/i)

Foxhall Clifford, a student who befriends Selby and introduces him to the Quarter.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as having told Selby the story of the previous Tuesday.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/iii)

Visits Selby, accidentally sits on a geranium, and becomes suspicious that the flowers are for Rue Barrée.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/iv)

Absent from Julian's roll-call; strolling in Luxembourg Gardens with Elliott, confessing his serious infatuation with Rue Barrée.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/chapters/v)

Recovering from illness, convalescing in his garden, and maintaining a cordial but distant relationship with Rue Barrée.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters/clifford
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_in_yellow_se/characters