# Harry Gilmore — The Vicar of Bullhampton character guide > Harry Gilmore in The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Harry, Mr. Gilmore, Gilmore, Henry Gilmore, poor Gilmore **First appearance:** 0001-the-vicar-of-bullhampton ## Snapshot A gentleman farmer and squire who comes back to life the moment he hears Mary Lowther is returning to Bullhampton. ## Who they are Gilmore is the Vicar's nearest neighbour and steadiest friend, a man whose opinions are worth having — except during the winter when Mary's absence made him morose and useless. The news that she is coming in early summer throws off his sadness so visibly that Mrs. Fenwick is almost frightened by his elation. His hopefulness and his vulnerability make him the novel's most sympathetic loser, and his recovery of spirits lets him re-enter the parish's troubles as a working friend again. ## Relationships ### [Mary Lowther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mary_lowther) _romantic_ Harry is Mary's devoted but ultimately rejected suitor, whose persistent love is met with her ambivalence and eventual refusal. ### [Mr. Fenwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mr_fenwick) _friendship_ Harry and Fenwick are friendly acquaintances, though their bond is strained by Harry's jealousy over Mary's affections. ### [Mary Lowther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mary_lowther) _romantic_ Harry is Mary's devoted but ultimately rejected suitor, whose persistent love is met with her ambivalence and eventual refusal. ### [Mr. Fenwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mr_fenwick) _friendship_ Harry and Fenwick are friendly acquaintances, though their bond is strained by Harry's jealousy over Mary's affections. ### [Mary Lowther](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mary_lowther) _romantic_ Harry is Mary's devoted but ultimately rejected suitor, whose persistent love is met with her ambivalence and eventual refusal. ### [Mr. Fenwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/mr_fenwick) _friendship_ Harry and Fenwick are friendly acquaintances, though their bond is strained by Harry's jealousy over Mary's affections. ## In the story ### [I: Bullhampton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/i-bullhampton) Introduced as the squire of Bullhampton, a man of about thirty-three, liberal in politics, fond of books and shooting, and unmarried. ### [Flo's Red Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/ii-flo-s-red-ball) Shows deep concern for Mary after her fall; plans to propose again the next day. ### [Sam Brattle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/iii-sam-brattle) Spots Sam Brattle and a stranger lurking near the vicarage churchyard; alerts Mr. Fenwick and assists in the confrontation. ### [IV: There Is No One Else](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/iv-there-is-no-one-else) Gilmore proposes again, is refused, but insists on waiting three months to try again. ### [The Last Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/viii-the-last-day) Bids Mary farewell, having agreed to repair the Brattle mill and house, and grants her a year to reconsider his proposal. ### [Miss Marrable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/ix-miss-marrable) Discussed as a suitor; Miss Marrable considers him an ideal match due to his status as a country gentleman. ### [XII: Bone'm and His Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xii-bone-m-and-his-master) Disagrees with Fenwick about Sam's character. ### [Captain Marrable and His Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xiii-captain-marrable-and-his-father) Mentioned as the other hero of the story, a straightforward country squire, and possibly engaged to Mary Lowther. ### [Cousinhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xiv-cousinhood) Acts as magistrate in the case; has committed Sam Brattle; is praised for his kindness and propriety; his name is mentioned to Captain Marrable. ### [The Police at Fault](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xv-the-police-at-fault) Visits the mill to urge resumption of repairs; expresses caution about releasing Sam on bail. ### [XVI: Miss Lowther Asks for Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xvi-miss-lowther-asks-for-advice) Harry Gilmore is the suitor who has proposed to Mary; she has refused him but left the matter open for six months. ### [The Marquis of Trowbridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xvii-the-marquis-of-trowbridge) Present during the confrontation with the Marquis, supports Fenwick but tries to temper the argument. ### [Blank Paper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xviii-blank-paper) Gilmore is mentioned as Mary's former suitor; she is determined to break off their engagement as she does not love him. ### [Sam Brattle Returns Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xix-sam-brattle-returns-home) Present at court and at the Vicarage; remains skeptical of Sam's innocence and discusses his unrequited love for Mary Lowther. ### [XX: I Have a Jupiter of My Own Now](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xx-i-have-a-jupiter-of-my-own-now) Mary writes to him breaking off any possibility of engagement, citing esteem and friendship only. ### [What the Fenwicks Thought About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxii-what-the-fenwicks-thought-about-it) Expected to be devastated by Mary's engagement. Mr. Fenwick predicts he will take it very badly and may leave Bullhampton. ### [What Mr. Gilmore Thought About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxiii-what-mr-gilmore-thought-about-it) Receives Mary's rejection letter and is devastated; wanders his grounds, weeps, and later accepts Mrs. Fenwick's comfort. ### [The Rev. Henry Fitzackerley Chamberlaine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxiv-the-rev-henry-fitzackerley-chamberlaine) Suffering from Mary Lowther's rejection, he isolates himself, envies his uncle's calm, and reacts with despair when Mary is mentioned. ### [The Turnover Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxvi-the-turnover-correspondence) Mentioned as present at the meeting with the Marquis. ### [XXVII: “I Never Shamed None of Them.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxvii-i-never-shamed-none-of-them) Discusses his sorrow over Mary Lowther and considers leaving Bullhampton. ### [The Bull at Loring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxix-the-bull-at-loring) Travels to Loring with the intention of intervening in Mary Lowther's engagement to Captain Marrable, though he has no clear plan. ### [Mr. Gilmore's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxii-mr-gilmore-s-success) Arrives in Loring in a state of deep despair, unkempt and 'seedy,' seeking any chance to win Mary Lowther. He confesses his love to Miss Marrable and resolves to wait after learning of the engagement's instability. ### [Bullhampton News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxiv-bullhampton-news) Receives news of Mary's broken engagement via Mrs. Fenwick; remains steadfastly devoted and willing to wait. ### [A Lover's Madness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-lover-s-madness) Visits Mrs. Fenwick to press his suit for Mary Lowther, having waited the suggested months; lives in seclusion and shows signs of despair. ### [Mr. Quickenham, Q.C.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xlii-mr-quickenham-q-c) Participates in the discussion about the chapel, arguing that the Marquis cannot give common land for a chapel. ### [XLV: What Shall I Do with Myself?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xlv-what-shall-i-do-with-myself) Mentioned as a man who wants to marry Mary, but she is not afraid of him. ### [Sam Brattle Is Wanted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xlvii-sam-brattle-is-wanted) Accompanies Fenwick to the mill; rebukes Fenwick for being too hasty in his assurances; quarrels with the Marquis of Trowbridge over slander; his spirits are revived by news of Mary Lowther's visit. ### [Mary Lowther Returns to Bullhampton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xlviii-mary-lowther-returns-to-bullhampton) Meets Mary again at the vicarage and later walks with her, hoping for a change in her feelings. ### [Mary Lowther's Doom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/xlix-mary-lowther-s-doom) Persistent in his suit, accepts Mary's conditional acceptance despite her confession of love for another. ### [Mary Lowther Inspects Her Future Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/l-mary-lowther-inspects-her-future-home) Engaged to Mary, shows subdued joy and sensitivity to her lack of affection; takes her to see the Privets. ### [The Grinder and His Comrade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/li-the-grinder-and-his-comrade) Dines at the vicarage and accompanies Fenwick partway to the mill. ### [Mr. Gilmore's Rubies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/liv-mr-gilmore-s-rubies) Presents Mary with a set of rubies; briefly feels happy when she responds warmly. ### [LV: Glebe Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lv-glebe-land) Dines at the vicarage and presses Mary to name a day for their wedding, proposing a September marriage and European honeymoon. ### [The Vicar's Vengeance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lvi-the-vicar-s-vengeance) The Squire accompanies Fenwick to Salisbury and urges him to consult Mr. Chamberlaine, but is unable to change Fenwick's mind. ### [LVIII: Edith Brownlow’s Dream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lviii-edith-brownlow-s-dream) Mentioned as the man Mary Lowther is reportedly to marry, though Walter believes she does not love him. ### [News from Dunripple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lix-news-from-dunripple) Pleads for a wedding date to be fixed, but Mary's reluctance grows; he becomes gloomy and angry. ### [LXI: Mary Lowther’s Treachery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxi-mary-lowther-s-treachery) The man Mary has agreed to marry but now intends to leave; his potential reaction is a major concern. ### [Up at the Privets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxii-up-at-the-privets) Gilmore reacts with anguish and anger upon learning of Mary's decision, halting house renovations and demanding a final meeting. ### [LXIV: If I Were Your Sister!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxiv-if-i-were-your-sister) Determined to confront Mary, he forces a meeting and insults her, then flees to London in despair. ### [Mary Lowther Leaves Bullhampton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxv-mary-lowther-leaves-bullhampton) Leaves a note for Mrs. Fenwick after his final interview with Mary; goes up to London, leaving his house unfinished. ### [Sir Gregory Marrable Has a Headache](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxvii-sir-gregory-marrable-has-a-headache) Mentioned as the jilted suitor; Mary's engagement to him has been broken off forever. ### [The Squire Is Very Obstinate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxviii-the-squire-is-very-obstinate) The Squire is deeply despondent after Mary Lowther's rejection, refuses to return to Bullhampton, and plans to travel abroad. ### [The Fate of the Puddlehamites](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxx-the-fate-of-the-puddlehamites) Refuses to return to Bullhampton or forgive Mary Lowther; authorizes Fenwick to manage his affairs and parts with a pledge to write of his destination. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/lxxiii-conclusion) Has been away from Bullhampton for years but is expected to return home. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters/harry_gilmore - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/characters