# Phineas Finn — The Prime Minister character guide > Phineas Finn in The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Finn, Phineas, Finn, poor Phineas **First appearance:** 0006-vii-another-old-friend ## Snapshot A trusted young colleague the Duke cannot quite confide in, carrying the Government's great Bill through a House full of knives. ## Who they are Phineas Finn sits close enough to the Prime Minister to read his silences, and knows better than most how badly the Duke needs reassurance he will not ask for. He shepherds the County Suffrage Bill through a Commons where the opposition sits at his own elbow. His loyalty and his clear-eyed view of the Coalition's fragility make him the reader's steady guide through the political middle of the book. ## In the story ### [An Old Friend Goes to Windsor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/vi-an-old-friend-goes-to-windsor) Mentioned by the Duchess in conversation with Mrs. Finn, regarding his potential inclusion in the government. ### [The Beginning of a New Career](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/viii-the-beginning-of-a-new-career) Appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, considered the luckiest man in the ministerial scramble. ### [Carlton Terrace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xi-carlton-terrace) Mentioned as being away from London, focused on his new official duties to reform Irish governance. ### [The Gathering of Clouds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xii-the-gathering-of-clouds) Recalled from Ireland to London due to political tensions; discusses Irish affairs with Barrington Erle at Brooks's club. ### [XXVIII: The Duchess Is Much Troubled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxviii-the-duchess-is-much-troubled) One of the Duchess's advisors in this chapter. ### [The Horns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-horns) Works on a measure to increase Irish municipal power, though he hardly believes in it. ### [The Value of a Thick Skin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xli-the-value-of-a-thick-skin) Reluctantly moved to the Admiralty to fill Sir Orlando's vacancy. ### [Coddling the Prime Minister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/li-coddling-the-prime-minister) Hesitantly tells the Duchess that the Duke is unwell, avoiding direct explanation of the scandal. ### [The Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lvii-the-explanation) Instructed by the Duke to deliver the official statement in the House of Commons, he defends the Duke's actions and avoids any mention of the Duchess. ### [Phineas Finn Has a Book to Read](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxii-phineas-finn-has-a-book-to-read) Phineas is pressured to sue Quintus Slide for libel but refuses due to his own past scandals. He discusses the matter with the Duke and agrees to visit Matching. ### [The Duchess and Her Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxiii-the-duchess-and-her-friend) Noted as having become solemn and uncommunicative, avoiding political news with the Duchess. ### [The End of the Session](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxvi-the-end-of-the-session) Mentioned as the only ally the Prime Minister has left in his Cabinet. ### [The Prime Minister's Political Creed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxviii-the-prime-minister-s-political-creed) Visits Matching, discusses politics with the Duke, and later works on the county franchise reform with Mr. Monk and others. ### [Only the Duke of Omnium](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxiii-only-the-duke-of-omnium) Defends the Duke passionately in the House, but is advised by Mr. Monk to let the attack pass. ### [Who Will It Be?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxvi-who-will-it-be) Visits the Duchess's home and is mentioned as a potential member of a new ministry. The Duchess teases him about his political future. ### [The New Ministry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-new-ministry) Included in the new government as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, a fainéant office, and defends the ministry against the Duchess's criticisms. ### [The Last Meeting at Matching](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/lxxx-the-last-meeting-at-matching) Present at Matching as a guest, along with his wife. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters/phineas_finn - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_prime_minister_se/characters