# Count Fosco — The Woman in White character guide > Count Fosco in The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Fosco, The Count **First appearance:** 0027-ii ## Snapshot A fat, charming, white-mice-keeping Italian nobleman whose genial manners conceal one of the coldest and most calculating minds in Victorian fiction. ## Who they are Count Fosco arrives at Blackwater Park as Sir Percival's ally and the husband of Laura's estranged aunt, and immediately dominates every room he enters with his wit, his learning, and his unnerving affability. He is a man of enormous appetites — for food, for admiration, for control — and his medical knowledge, his network of spies, and his absolute lack of pity make him far more dangerous than the blustering baronet beside him. His polished surface is the novel's most seductive trap, and the reader's growing suspicion of him is one of its great pleasures. ## Relationships ### [Sir Percival Glyde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/sir_percival_glyde) _psychological_ Fosco manipulates and controls Glyde, acting as his cunning and domineering co-conspirator in the plot against Laura. ### [Marian Halcombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/marian_halcombe) _psychological_ Fosco is both fascinated by and in conflict with Marian, admiring her intelligence while plotting against her and her sister. ### [Laura Fairlie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/laura_fairlie) _psychological_ Fosco is the mastermind behind the conspiracy to imprison Laura and steal her identity, treating her as a pawn. ### [Madame Fosco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/madame_fosco) _family_ Fosco is married to Madame Fosco, whom he dominates and controls, using her as a compliant assistant in his schemes. ### [Anne Catherick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/anne_catherick) _psychological_ Fosco manipulates and exploits Anne, using her resemblance to Laura to carry out his fraudulent scheme. ### [Walter Hartright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/walter_hartright) _rivalry_ Fosco and Walter are direct antagonists, with Walter relentlessly pursuing Fosco to expose his crimes and rescue Laura. ### [Sir Percival Glyde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/sir_percival_glyde) _psychological_ Fosco manipulates and controls Glyde, acting as his cunning and domineering co-conspirator in the plot against Laura. ### [Sir Percival Glyde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/sir_percival_glyde) _psychological_ Fosco manipulates and controls Glyde, acting as his cunning and domineering co-conspirator in the plot against Laura. ### [Laura Fairlie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/laura_fairlie) _psychological_ Fosco is the mastermind behind the conspiracy to imprison Laura and steal her identity, treating her as a pawn. ### [Marian Halcombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/marian_halcombe) _psychological_ Fosco is both fascinated by and in conflict with Marian, admiring her intelligence while plotting against her and her sister. ### [Marian Halcombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/marian_halcombe) _psychological_ Fosco is both fascinated by and in conflict with Marian, admiring her intelligence while plotting against her and her sister. ### [Walter Hartright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/walter_hartright) _rivalry_ Fosco and Walter are direct antagonists, with Walter relentlessly pursuing Fosco to expose his crimes and rescue Laura. ## In the story ### [Preface to the Present Edition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/preface-to-the-present-edition) Mentioned as one of the characters who made friends for the author. ### [The Story Continued by Marian Halcombe, in Extracts from Her Diary 1](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-marian-halcombe-in-extracts-from-her-diary) Arrives at Blackwater Park; his charismatic yet menacing presence immediately unsettles Marian and seems to influence Sir Percival. ### [The Second Epoch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-second-epoch) Arrives at Blackwater Park and orchestrates the conspiracy with Sir Percival. ### [The Story Continued by Marian Halcombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-marian-halcombe) Sir Percival's ally; he is charming yet sinister, and Marian suspects he is manipulating events behind the scenes. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Sir Percival's friend; Laura is circumspect about him in her letters, piquing Marian's curiosity. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Immensely fat, resembles Napoleon, with unfathomable grey eyes; has quickly won Marian's favor. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Argues that crime often goes undetected; calms Sir Percival; questions Marian about Mrs. Catherick; shows intense curiosity about Anne Catherick's story. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iv) Intervenes to calm the situation, advises postponing the signing, and objects to his wife as a witness, proposing Marian instead. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/v) Entertains at dinner with lively stories; later withdraws to the library. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vi) Exercises his canary birds, influences Sir Percival's change of plans, and notes the rising wind at night. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vii) Supports his wife's defiance of Sir Percival; orchestrates the temporary change in Laura's treatment. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/viii) Manipulative and observant; exhibits his canaries to the housekeeper, intercepts Marian's conversation with Madame Fosco, and forces a hand-kiss that disgusts Marian. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ix) Calmly analyzes the situation, learns of the resemblance between Anne and Laura, and promises to help find Anne and resolve financial issues. ### [Marian's Diary: The Fever and Fosco's Postscript](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/x) Adds a postscript to Marian's diary after reading it, praising her intelligence and confirming his plans. ### [The Story Continued by Eliza Michelson, Housekeeper at Blackwater Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-eliza-michelson-housekeeper-at-blackwater-park) The mastermind behind the conspiracy, who orchestrates Laura's removal and the cover-up. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Displays composure and kindness; arranges for a nurse from London; clashes with Mr. Dawson over medical treatment. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Arranged to host Laura in London; has left Blackwater Park suddenly; his kindness is praised by Mrs. Michelson but feared by Laura. ### [The Narrative of Hester Pinhorn, Cook in the Service of Count Fosco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i-the-narrative-of-hester-pinhorn-cook-in-the-service-of-count-fosco) Master of the house; elderly, fat, fond of birds and pastry; shows exaggerated grief and theatrical behavior after Lady Glyde's death. ### [The Third Epoch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-third-epoch) Confesses to his role in the conspiracy. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Met Laura at the London railway station and took her to a house, initiating the conspiracy that led to her imprisonment. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Mastermind of the conspiracy; introduced Anne Catherick into his house as Lady Glyde. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iv) Identified as the other conspirator; likely to leave the country to avoid legal consequences. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vi) Approaches Mrs. Clements with a false message from Lady Glyde, provides medicine, and orchestrates Anne's travel to London. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vii) Mentioned as having orchestrated the deceptions that separated Anne from Mrs. Clements, along with the Countess. ### [The Story Continued by Walter Hartright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-walter-hartright) Antagonist and mastermind of the conspiracy. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Walter suspects him of attempted treachery during his absence. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Renews his lease for six months; visits the old lodgings and speaks to Marian; seen with the owner of the lunatic asylum. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Referenced as the unassailable enemy who holds the key to restoring Laura's identity; target of Walter's plan. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iv) Observed by Walter; suspected of being a spy, seen exercising canaries and walking in London. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/v) Count Fosco is the man Walter is investigating; his connection to Pesca is unknown but feared. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vi) Antagonist; believed by Walter to have recognized Pesca and to be planning escape; Walter goes to his house at No. 5 Forest Road. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vii) Receives Walter, locks the door, and writes a lengthy confession before departing London. ### [The Story Continued by Isidor, Ottavio, Baldassare Fosco; Count of the Holy Roman Empire, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Brazen Crown, Perpetual Arch-Master of the Rosicrucian Masons of Mesopotamia; Attached (In Honorary Capacities) to Societies Musical, Societies Medical, Societies Philosophical, and Societies General Benevolent, Throughout Europe; etc. etc. etc.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-isidor-ottavio-baldassare-fosco-count-of-the-holy-roman-empire-knight-grand-cross-of-the-order-of-the-brazen-crown-perpetual-arch-master-of-the-rosicrucian-masons-of-mesopotamia-attached-in-honorary-capacities-to-societies-musical-societies-medical-societies-philosophical-and-societies-general-benevolent-throughout-europe-etc-etc-etc) Narrator and protagonist of this section; defends his chemical practices, outlines his scheme to swap identities, and confesses his admiration for Marian. ### [The Count's Narrative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-count-s-narrative) Narrator of the chapter; confesses his scheme and his weakness for Marian Halcombe. ### [The Story Concluded by Walter Hartright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-concluded-by-walter-hartright) Confesses to the conspiracy before meeting his end. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) His manuscript is referenced; his role in the conspiracy is indirectly acknowledged through the evidence. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Found dead at the Morgue; killed by a stab wound and bearing cuts on his arm that signify the Brotherhood's vengeance. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/count_fosco - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters