# Mr. Gaskell — The Lost Stradivarius character guide > Mr. Gaskell in The Lost Stradivarius by John Meade Falkner. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Buononcini, Mr. William Gaskell **First appearance:** 0001-the-lost-stradivarius ## Who they are A mysterious musician and collector who introduces John to the lost Stradivarius and its tragic past. ## Relationships ### [John Maltravers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/john_maltravers) _professional_ Gaskell is John's loyal and trusted servant, managing his household and personal affairs with deep devotion. ### [Johnnie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/johnnie) _professional_ Johnnie is a junior servant under Gaskell, assisting with household duties and errands. ### [Dr. Frobisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/dr_frobisher) _professional_ Dr. Frobisher and Gaskell coordinate care for John, with Gaskell providing practical support and Frobisher medical oversight. ### [Constance Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/constance_temple) _professional_ Constance relies on Gaskell for information about John's state and trusts his loyalty to the family. ### [Sir Edward Maltravers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/sir_edward_maltravers) _professional_ Gaskell serves Sir Edward as a family retainer, reporting on John's activities and maintaining the household. ### [Adrian Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/adrian_temple) _professional_ Adrian interacts with Gaskell as a family member, discussing John's welfare and household matters. ### [Johnnie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/johnnie) _professional_ Johnnie is a junior servant under Gaskell, assisting with household duties and errands. ### [John Maltravers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/john_maltravers) _professional_ Gaskell is John's loyal and trusted servant, managing his household and personal affairs with deep devotion. ### [John Maltravers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/john_maltravers) _professional_ Gaskell is John's loyal and trusted servant, managing his household and personal affairs with deep devotion. ### [Dr. Frobisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/dr_frobisher) _professional_ Dr. Frobisher and Gaskell coordinate care for John, with Gaskell providing practical support and Frobisher medical oversight. ## In the story ### [The Lost Stradivarius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/the-lost-stradivarius) John's close friend who confirms the supernatural presence and is a witness to the strange occurrences. ### [Miss Sophia Maltravers’ Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/miss-sophia-maltravers-story) Friend of John, who is involved in the events surrounding the violin and the supernatural occurrences. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/i) Plays the same suite with John and also hears the chair creaking, expressing unease about a possible unseen listener. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/ii) Proposes playing the gagliarda to humor a possible spectral visitor; later confined to college for late hours. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/iii) Attends the Freemasons' ball with John and accompanies the party to St. John's College gardens. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/iv) Provides a rational-sounding supernatural explanation, linking the music to the spirit's history and suggesting a 'sixth sense' induced by passion and music. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/v) His imagined coat of arms is found on the music book, providing a rational explanation. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/vi) Advises moving the bookcase and notices the acoustical improvement; present during the discovery. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/vii) Visits John after the discovery, inspects the cupboard, and speculates about its former occupant, but is not told about the violin. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/ix) Attempts to renew friendship with John, hears the violin, and is hurt by John's refusal to play together. ### [The Summer and the Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/x) Receives a first-class in examinations alongside John, but their correspondence lapses. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xiv) His description of a hall from a dream is revealed to be a real place. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xv) Accompanies John and his brother; explains the Christmas morning violin incident as sleepwalking; reassures the narrator. ### [Mr. Gaskell’s Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/mr-gaskell-s-note) Narrator of this chapter, provides his own perspective on Sir John's decline and the events surrounding it. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/mr_gaskell - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters