# Mr. Burchell — The Vicar of Wakefield character guide

> Mr. Burchell in The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Burchell, XIII Mr. Burchell

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Snapshot

A shabby, sharp-tongued stranger who wanders into the Primrose circle, corrects its follies, rescues its members, and refuses to explain himself.

## Who they are

Burchell appears at the vicar's fireside as a penniless traveler with a taste for gooseberry wine and an inconvenient habit of telling the family the truth about themselves. He is by turns benefactor and irritant — saving Sophia from drowning, warning against Thornhill, and enduring the vicar's rebukes for his plain speaking. His unexplained comings and goings make him the story's most intriguing loose end.

## In the story

### [A Migration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/iii)

Mr. Burchell accompanies the family on their journey, rescues Sophia from drowning, and provides a detailed account of Sir William Thornhill's character.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/vi)

Visits the Primrose family for supper, entertains the children with songs and stories, and assists Sophia in the hayfield.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/viii)

Helps with haymaking, entertains the family with a ballad, and shows particular attention to Sophia, though he declines to join the evening ball.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/x)

Helps by beating the horses forward with his cudgel when they refuse to move.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/xi)

He sits with his face to the fire and repeatedly cries 'fudge' during the ladies' conversation, displeasing the company.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/xii)

Visits the family after the fair, brings small gifts, and advises caution about the ladies' note, earning Mrs. Primrose's displeasure.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/xiii)

Dissuades the family from sending the girls to town, leading to a quarrel with Deborah; he leaves in apparent offense.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/xv)

Accused of writing a malicious letter; responds with composure and defiance, threatening to have the family hanged for breaking his seal.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/xviii)

Suspected of eloping with Olivia; seen at the races but avoids the Vicar.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/xxi)

Olivia clears Burchell's name, revealing he warned her against Thornhill.

### [Happier Prospects Begin to Appear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/chapters/xxx)

Rescues Sophia, reveals his identity as Sir William Thornhill, orders dinner and wine, and treats the narrator's wound.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/characters/mr_burchell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_vicar_of_wakefield_se/characters