# Fred Rider — The Rector and The Doctor’s Family character guide > Fred Rider in The Rector and The Doctor’s Family by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Fred, Poor Fred, Fred Rider, Freddy, young Rider, poor Mr. Fred **First appearance:** 0005-the-doctor-s-family ## Snapshot The doctor's disgraced elder brother, a hollowed-out man whose abandoned wife and children arrive from Australia to claim him. ## Who they are Fred Rider is the shameful shadow in Dr. Edward's house—a man for whom hope and life are dead, lying abed while his brother's practice and patience fray around him. His abandoned wife Susan and her formidable sister Nettie cross the world to find him, exposing the secret the doctor has kept and the ruin Fred has made of himself. His uselessness and the family wreckage he leaves behind force everyone around him to reckon with duty, forgiveness, and what can be salvaged from a wasted life. ## Relationships ### [Nettie Underwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/nettie_underwood) _friendship_ Fred Rider is a close friend and confidant to Nettie Underwood, often supporting her in family matters. ### [Dr. Edward Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/dr_edward_rider) _family_ Dr. Edward Rider and Fred Rider are brothers, with Edward often acting as a responsible and protective older sibling. ### [Susan Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/susan_rider) _family_ Fred Rider and Susan Rider are siblings, sharing a close and affectionate bond. ### [Richard Chatham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/richard_chatham) _friendship_ Fred Rider and Richard Chatham are friends, often spending time together in social or business contexts. ### [Nettie Underwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/nettie_underwood) _friendship_ Fred Rider is a close friend and confidant to Nettie Underwood, often supporting her in family matters. ### [Nettie Underwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/nettie_underwood) _friendship_ Fred Rider is a close friend and confidant to Nettie Underwood, often supporting her in family matters. ### [Dr. Edward Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/dr_edward_rider) _family_ Dr. Edward Rider and Fred Rider are brothers, with Edward often acting as a responsible and protective older sibling. ### [Dr. Edward Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/dr_edward_rider) _family_ Dr. Edward Rider and Fred Rider are brothers, with Edward often acting as a responsible and protective older sibling. ### [Richard Chatham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/richard_chatham) _friendship_ Fred Rider and Richard Chatham are friends, often spending time together in social or business contexts. ### [Susan Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/susan_rider) _family_ Fred Rider and Susan Rider are siblings, sharing a close and affectionate bond. ### [Susan Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/susan_rider) _family_ Fred Rider and Susan Rider are siblings, sharing a close and affectionate bond. ## In the story ### [The Doctor's Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/the-doctor-s-family) Arrives at his brother's house, causing tension and adding to the doctor's domestic troubles. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/i) Edward's elder brother, a disreputable and drunken prodigal who has returned to live with Edward, causing tension and threatening his reputation. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/ii) Absent but central to the plot; his whereabouts are unknown, and his letters have stopped for a year. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/iii) Sullen and helpless, he yields to Nettie's management and avoids engaging with his brother. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as the object of Nettie's care and Dr. Rider's resentment; his failures are discussed. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as a useless encumbrance; Nettie stings him with a sharp word, making him momentarily ashamed. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/vi) Fred is slovenly and indolent, spending his days smoking and reading novels. He is dependent on Nettie and feels a flush of self-disgust when seen with her, but it does not spur him to action. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as smoking in the parlour and leading a dissolute life, causing trouble for the family. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned as a burden; Dr. Rider wishes he would return to Australia to ease the situation. ### [Another Life and a Changed World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/ix) Sulky and idle, he is found drowned in the canal; his body is brought home by Nettie. ### [The Morning After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/x) Found drowned in the canal; his body is brought home and laid in Nettie's parlour. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xi) His drowned body lies in the house; his death is viewed by most as a relief, but Nettie alone mourns his ruined life with genuine compassion. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xii) Recently deceased; his absence is noted but life quickly resumes its ordinary course. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xiii) Mentioned as deceased; his accident and imprudence are referenced by Susan and Chatham. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned as deceased; his pipe and the financial arrangement with Mrs. Smith are recalled. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xvi) Mentioned as the deceased former occupant of the sofa, his memory is briefly invoked by Susan. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xvii) Wakes to find his things packed, fears being sent away, and later interrupts Nettie and Dr. Rider, clinging to Nettie. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned as having once burdened the doctor's house; his memory is now replaced by little Freddy. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/fred_rider - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters