# Richard Newson — The Mayor of Casterbridge character guide

> Richard Newson in The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Newson, Captain Newson, the genial sailor

**First appearance:** 0003-iv

## Snapshot

A genial sailor who married Susan believing her widow, he is the true father of Elizabeth-Jane and the warm memory she clings to.

## Who they are

Newson exists for much of the novel as an absence, a sailor presumed lost at sea whose kindness Elizabeth-Jane remembers with fierce loyalty. His return, when it comes, threatens the fragile identity Henchard has constructed around his stepdaughter and forces a reckoning with the lies that hold the town's most powerful man in place. He represents the claims of genuine affection against the claims of pride and possession.

## Relationships

### [Michael Henchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/michael_henchard)

_rivalry_

Richard Newson is the sailor who bought Henchard's wife Susan, and later returns, becoming a rival for Elizabeth-Jane's affection and Henchard's peace.

### [Michael Henchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/michael_henchard)

_rivalry_

Richard Newson is the sailor who bought Henchard's wife Susan, and later returns, becoming a rival for Elizabeth-Jane's affection and Henchard's peace.

## In the story

### [The Sale of a Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/i)

A sailor who arrives at the tent and purchases Susan for five guineas, taking her and the child away.

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

Deceased mariner, remembered by Elizabeth-Jane as her father; his memory is honored with a mourning card.

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

Mentioned as Susan's second husband, believed lost at sea off the Bank of Newfoundland.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xi)

Referenced as the man Susan believed she owed faithfulness to, and whose death prompted her to seek out Henchard.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xix)

Mentioned as Elizabeth-Jane's biological father; his features are seen in her sleeping face.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxviii)

Referenced as the sailor who bought Susan at the fair.

### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Arrives at Peter's Finger as a stranger, crossing the stream and seeking lodging for the night.

### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xli)

Newson returns to Casterbridge and is deceived by Henchard into believing Elizabeth-Jane is dead.

### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xliii)

Returns to Casterbridge and is reunited with Elizabeth-Jane at Farfrae's house, expressing pride in her and agreeing to the wedding.

### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xliv)

Mentioned in Henchard's recollection of the fair; Susan left with him.

### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xlv)

Stayed in Casterbridge for three days after the wedding, then moved to Budmouth, preferring the proximity of the sea.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/richard_newson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters