# John Crumb — The Way We Live Now character guide

> John Crumb in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Crumb, Crumb, Poor Mr. Crumb

**First appearance:** 0032-xxxiii-john-crumb

## Snapshot

A rough, honest farmer hopelessly in love with Ruby Ruggles, whose head is turned by a London baronet's attentions and the dazzle of a dance.

## Who they are

Crumb belongs to the rural world of the Squire and Ruby's grandfather, a plain man whose blunt sincerity stands against Sir Felix Carbury's careless charm. He loves Ruby without cleverness, and his coming to London in wrath is a threat Sir Felix never bothers to consider. His dogged devotion makes him the moral counterweight to the fashionable seducer, and his fate hangs on whether Ruby can be made to mind herself in time.

## Relationships

### [Ruby Ruggles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/ruby_ruggles)

_romantic_

John Crumb is a simple, honest farmer deeply in love with Ruby, who initially rejects him for Felix.

### [Ruby Ruggles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/ruby_ruggles)

_romantic_

John Crumb is a simple, honest farmer deeply in love with Ruby, who initially rejects him for Felix.

### [Ruby Ruggles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/ruby_ruggles)

_romantic_

John Crumb is a simple, honest farmer deeply in love with Ruby, who initially rejects him for Felix.

## In the story

### [Ruby Ruggles Hears a Love Tale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xviii-ruby-ruggles-hears-a-love-tale)

John Crumb is Ruby's fiancé, a prosperous but dusty meal dealer from Bungay. He is honest, hardworking, and devoted to Ruby, but she finds him dull compared to Felix.

### [John Crumb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxiii-john-crumb)

Arrives at Sheep's Acre Farm with Joe Mixet to formally press his marriage suit; he is determined to marry Ruby but is met with her refusal.

### [Ruby Ruggles Obeys Her Grandfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxiv-ruby-ruggles-obeys-her-grandfather)

Ruby's rejected suitor; furious and threatening violence against Sir Felix, he joins the search for Ruby.

### [XLIII: The City Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xliii-the-city-road)

John Crumb is referenced as Ruby's rejected suitor. Roger Carbury praises him as noble and warns Ruby that Crumb will not give up easily.

### [Roger Carbury and His Two Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xlvi-roger-carbury-and-his-two-friends)

Visits Roger Carbury to learn about Ruby; expresses his love and anxiety about the Baronet; considers sending Mrs. Pipkin a blue cloak.

### [John Crumb Falls Into Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxi-john-crumb-falls-into-trouble)

Follows Ruby and Sir Felix, beats Sir Felix severely, and is arrested by police.

### [LXXII: “Ask Himself.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxii-ask-himself)

Believed to have beaten Sir Felix as revenge for his involvement with Ruby Ruggles.

### [Ruby Prepares for Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxx-ruby-prepares-for-service)

After being released from custody following his fight with Sir Felix, he returns to Bungay, advised to leave Ruby alone for a time, but remains hopeful and ready to return when summoned.

### [John Crumb's Victory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xciv-john-crumb-s-victory)

Triumphant bridegroom who wins over Bungay and old Ruggles, arranges the wedding feast, and secures Ruby's hand.

### [Mrs. Hurtle's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xcvii-mrs-hurtle-s-fate)

Marries Ruby Ruggles; Mrs. Hurtle attends the wedding and admires his faithfulness.

### [Down in Suffolk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/c-down-in-suffolk)

Attends the wedding with his wife Ruby; now a tenant of Roger Carbury.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/john_crumb
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters