# Richard Swiveller — The Old Curiosity Shop character guide > Richard Swiveller in The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Swiveller, Dick Swiveller, Swiveller, Dick **First appearance:** 0007-v ## Snapshot A charming, idle young gentleman of no fortune, drifting through the Brass office on borrowed money and borrowed time. ## Who they are Dick Swiveller is a genial loafer who owes rent, cadges drinks, and does just enough clerk's work at Bevis Marks to keep a roof over his head. He is lazy and self-indulgent, yet his curiosity about the small servant locked in the basement hints at a conscience he has not quite smothered. His comic drift through the Brass household puts him in the exact place where the novel's cruelty and its kindness intersect. ## Relationships ### [Nell Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/nell_trent) _friendship_ Richard Swiveller is a kind-hearted friend to Nell, often helping her and her grandfather in their travels. ### [Sampson Brass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/sampson_brass) _professional_ Richard Swiveller works as a clerk for Sampson Brass, though he is often mistreated and manipulated. ### [Daniel Quilp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/daniel_quilp) _rivalry_ Quilp views Swiveller with contempt and enjoys manipulating him for his own amusement. ### [The Small Servant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/the_small_servant) _friendship_ Richard Swiveller befriends the small servant (the Marchioness), rescuing her from abuse and becoming her protector. ### [Abel Garland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/abel_garland) _friendship_ Abel Garland and Richard Swiveller become friendly acquaintances, with Abel helping Swiveller in his endeavors. ### [Sampson Brass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/sampson_brass) _professional_ Richard Swiveller works as a clerk for Sampson Brass, though he is often mistreated and manipulated. ### [Nell Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/nell_trent) _friendship_ Richard Swiveller is a kind-hearted friend to Nell, often helping her and her grandfather in their travels. ### [Daniel Quilp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/daniel_quilp) _rivalry_ Quilp views Swiveller with contempt and enjoys manipulating him for his own amusement. ### [Nell Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/nell_trent) _friendship_ Richard Swiveller is a kind-hearted friend to Nell, often helping her and her grandfather in their travels. ### [The Small Servant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/the_small_servant) _friendship_ Richard Swiveller befriends the small servant (the Marchioness), rescuing her from abuse and becoming her protector. ### [The Small Servant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/the_small_servant) _friendship_ Richard Swiveller befriends the small servant (the Marchioness), rescuing her from abuse and becoming her protector. ### [Daniel Quilp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/daniel_quilp) _rivalry_ Quilp views Swiveller with contempt and enjoys manipulating him for his own amusement. ## In the story ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/ii) Frederick's friend, delivers a long, humorous speech urging the old man to reconcile and provide money. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/iii) Swiveller accompanies Quilp and attempts to mediate, hinting at the need for money ('fork') and performing a pantomime of secrecy before leaving. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/vii) In his bachelor lodgings, Swiveller attempts to cheer his friend Fred Trent with gin-and-water and fanciful talk. He is persuaded to consider marrying Nell Trent for her expected inheritance. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/viii) Dances competitively, feuds with Cheggs, and schemes to avoid paying for dinner while planning to write a penitent letter to his aunt. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xiii) Visits the shop, learns of the flight, and leaves his card with Quilp. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxi) Swiveller accompanies Quilp to Kit's home, expressing disappointment over a failed speculation, and is lured by Quilp to a riverside tavern. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxiii) Drunkenly confides in Quilp, then later joins Trent in plotting against Nell. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxiii) Introduced by Quilp as a gentleman of good family who has fallen on hard times; he is bewildered by Miss Sally Brass and begins work as a clerk. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxiv) Accepts his clerkship under Brass with ironic resignation, explores the office, and deals with the arrival of the single gentleman. ### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxv) Now working as a clerk for Sampson Brass, he participates in the attempt to wake the lodger and later converses with him. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxvi) Rises in importance in the Brass household, entertains Miss Sally with tricks, and becomes curious about the small servant's treatment. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxvii) Favors the entertainments as a distraction from work; dusts Sally's headdress with the window glass. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xlviii) Referenced in Quilp's recollection: while drunk at Brass's office, he hinted at the single gentleman's secret correspondence with Kit. ### [Quilp's Bachelor's Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/l) Dines at his usual house; tells Quilp about Fred Trent's failed meeting with the grandfather and laments his lost love. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lvi) Enters Brass's office in a theatrical mood, wearing a black crape hatband and lamenting lost love; engages in banter with Chuckster and later receives an errand from Brass. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lvii) Left alone in the office, he discovers the small servant and teaches her cribbage. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lviii) Plays cribbage with the Marchioness, suspects her of theft but decides to protect her, and reflects on his own trustworthiness. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lix) Swiveller assists in pursuing and holding Kit, though he privately offers to let him escape. He discovers the bank note in Kit's hat. ### [Kit Accused](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lx) Brings the constable and unwillingly testifies about the note's position. ### [LXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxi) Sends Kit a pint of porter and a supportive note, signed 'R. S.', which Kit gratefully acknowledges. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxii) Referenced as the lodger and object of Quilp's hatred; Quilp orders Brass to dismiss him after the trial. ### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxiii) Helps Kit's mother after the trial; confronts Brass for coach fare; is dismissed and later falls ill with a fever. ### [LXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxiv) Lying ill and delirious, he gradually recovers and learns of the plot against Kit. ### [LXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxv) Lying ill in bed, he orchestrates the plan to save Kit by sending the Marchioness for Mr. Abel. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxvi) Dick awakens from his illness, is tenderly nursed by the Marchioness, and discusses the plan to rescue Kit and punish Quilp. ### [LXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxxiii) Dick marries the Marchioness (Sophronia), becomes a domesticated husband, and remains a philosophical figure, though he long holds a grudge against Kit. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/richard_swiveller - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters