# Sampson Brass — The Old Curiosity Shop character guide > Sampson Brass in The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Sampson Brass, Mr. Brass, Sampson, Sammy, Brass **First appearance:** 0007-v ## Snapshot A groveling attorney of Bevis Marks who wears the law like a costume and sells it to whoever pays. ## Who they are Sampson Brass is a self-styled gentleman of the legal profession, forever bowing, sighing, and invoking his twelve-pound certificate while angling for the main chance. His comic obsequiousness hides a willingness to manufacture evidence and ruin an innocent boy if the fee is right. He is the instrument through which Quilp's malice becomes legal machinery, and his office is the stage for the novel's sharpest satire of respectability. ## Relationships ### [Nell Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/nell_trent) _rivalry_ Sampson Brass, as Quilp's ally, is hostile and scheming against Nell and her grandfather. ### [Richard Swiveller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/richard_swiveller) _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) _professional_ Quilp and Sampson Brass are co-conspirators, with Quilp dominating and exploiting Brass for his schemes. ### [Richard Swiveller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/richard_swiveller) _professional_ Richard Swiveller works as a clerk for Sampson Brass, though he is often mistreated and manipulated. ### [Richard Swiveller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/richard_swiveller) _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) _professional_ Quilp and Sampson Brass are co-conspirators, with Quilp dominating and exploiting Brass for his schemes. ### [Nell Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/nell_trent) _rivalry_ Sampson Brass, as Quilp's ally, is hostile and scheming against Nell and her grandfather. ### [Daniel Quilp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/daniel_quilp) _professional_ Quilp and Sampson Brass are co-conspirators, with Quilp dominating and exploiting Brass for his schemes. ### [Nell Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/nell_trent) _rivalry_ Sampson Brass, as Quilp's ally, is hostile and scheming against Nell and her grandfather. ## In the story ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xi) Quilp's obsequious attorney, forced to smoke constantly and endure Quilp's abuse while feigning enjoyment. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xii) Brass is mentioned as Quilp's legal friend, sleeping in the storeroom during the night of the escape. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xiii) Awakens with Quilp and assists in the morning's events. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxiii) The solicitor whose office and domestic arrangements are described; he is dominated by his sister Sally and obsequious to Quilp. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxiv) The master of the house; Swiveller reflects on being his clerk. ### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxv) Anxious about the sleeping lodger, he tries to manipulate Swiveller into claiming false statements about the tenancy. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxvi) Mentioned as being absent during the events; his sister Sally runs the household and office in his stead. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxvii) Frustrated by the constant Punch shows and the crowds they attract, he vents to Sally and Swiveller. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxviii) Mentioned as the solicitor to whom inquiries about the old curiosity shop are directed; the stranger is currently lodging at Brass's. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xlviii) Mentioned as absent from his office when Quilp visited and encountered Swiveller. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xlix) Sits at the table composing a descriptive advertisement for Quilp's body, drinking Quilp's rum and expressing hypocritical grief. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/li) Attends Quilp's tea at the Wilderness, suffers from the cold and damp, and agrees to help Quilp against Kit. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lvi) Displays uncharacteristic cheerfulness and cunning; sends Swiveller on an errand, then intercepts Kit, offering him half-crowns and feigning benevolence while hinting at secret dealings. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lvii) Feigns virtue and friendship, secretly manipulates Kit and Swiveller. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lviii) Returns cheerfully, feigns trust in Swiveller regarding the missing money, and shows anxiety about the theft. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lix) Brass feigns generosity toward Kit, then orchestrates the accusation of theft. He directs the search and calls for a constable, revealing his duplicity. ### [Kit Accused](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lx) Accuses Kit of robbery, denies giving him money, and orchestrates the legal proceedings. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxii) Visits Quilp at the countinghouse, fearful and obsequious; discusses the search for Nell and the old man, and receives orders to dismiss Richard Swiveller. ### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxiii) Prosecutes Kit; testifies against him; later dismisses Richard Swiveller from his service. ### [LXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxiv) Mentioned as having conspired with Sally and Quilp to frame Kit. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxvi) Brass confesses to the authorities, betraying Quilp and revealing the whole story in a desperate attempt to save himself. ### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxvii) Mentioned in Sally's letter as having 'broken confidence' and confessed, inciting Quilp's murderous rage. ### [LXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxxiii) Sampson is convicted of perjury and fraud, sentenced to prison with hard labor, and struck from the roll of attorneys. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/sampson_brass - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters