# Frederick Fairlie — The Woman in White character guide > Frederick Fairlie in The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Fairlie, Frederick **First appearance:** 0007-iii ## Snapshot A hypochondriac aesthete who owns Limmeridge House but cannot bear the smallest disturbance, he governs his nieces' fate from behind drawn curtains. ## Who they are As Laura's guardian and master of Limmeridge, Frederick Fairlie holds the power of consent over her marriage while professing himself too delicate for any business or company. His exquisite taste in engravings and his horror of being 'worried' make him fatally easy for a determined suitor to manage. His self-absorption is not merely comic; it is the crack through which the plot's worst designs enter the house. ## 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 First Epoch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-first-epoch) Laura's invalid uncle and master of Limmeridge House; eccentric and self-absorbed. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Employer at Limmeridge House; mentioned as the gentleman seeking a drawing master for two young ladies. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/v) Owner of Limmeridge House; ordered a pony-chaise for Walter's arrival. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vi) Described as an invalid guardian who keeps to his apartments and sends for Walter after breakfast. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vii) The master of Limmeridge House, portrayed as frail, effeminate, and self-absorbed, with a querulous voice and a fixation on his nerves. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned as the recipient of Mrs. Fairlie's letter (addressed as 'Philip'). ### [The Summerhouse Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as the person Walter must deceive to secure his release from the engagement. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/xi) Laura's guardian; supports Sir Percival's wish for an early marriage; has written to the family solicitor. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/xiv) Walter seeks his permission to shorten his engagement at Limmeridge House. ### [The Story Continued by Vincent Gilmore of Chancery Lane, Solicitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-vincent-gilmore-of-chancery-lane-solicitor) Frederick Fairlie, Laura's uncle and guardian, is mentioned as the one who must approve the settlement, though he remains passive. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Laura's uncle, who holds the Limmeridge estate; Mr. Gilmore plans to visit him to advocate for a fair settlement. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iv) Laura's uncle, who remains obstinately passive and refuses to reconsider the settlement, dismissing Gilmore's concerns with feigned weakness. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Laura's uncle, who supports the marriage and dismisses Marian's concerns. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Laura's uncle; he pressures Laura to consent to the wedding date, and Marian angrily informs him of her consent. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Laura's uncle; mentioned as being occupied with photographing his art collection. ### [The Story Continued by Frederick Fairlie, Esq., of Limmeridge House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-frederick-fairlie-esq-of-limmeridge-house) Narrator of the chapter; a nervous invalid who resents being troubled by family matters and prefers to avoid responsibility. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Sent a short, careless note to Laura approving the plan to stay at her aunt's house in London. ### [IV: The Narrative of the Tombstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iv-the-narrative-of-the-tombstone) Implied as the brother of the late Philip Fairlie, whose daughter Laura is commemorated. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Refuses to recognize Laura upon her return to Limmeridge, insisting she is Anne Catherick and threatening legal action. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as having little acquaintance with Sir Percival, who was intimate with Laura's father instead. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Reluctantly authorizes the meeting and signs the necessary letters; remains an invalid throughout. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Dies of paralysis, leading to the inheritance of Limmeridge by Walter's son. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/endnotes) His narrative is mentioned as one of the documents obtained for the record. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/frederick_fairlie - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters