# Walter Hartright — The Woman in White character guide > Walter Hartright in The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. Hartright, Hartright, Water Hartright **First appearance:** 0004-the-story-begun-by-walter-hartright-of-clement-s-inn-teacher-of-drawing ## Snapshot A poor drawing master who arrives at Limmeridge to teach, then finds his heart and his fate tangled with a woman in white. ## Who they are Walter Hartright takes a modest post as drawing instructor at Limmeridge House, only to fall hopelessly in love with his pupil, Laura Fairlie — a love he cannot act on once her engagement to Sir Percival Glyde is revealed. His restless conscience and artist's eye make him notice what others overlook, from the eerie midnight encounter on the London road to the unsettling details of Sir Percival's character. He becomes the story's driving narrator, and his devotion to Laura and her half-sister Marian turns private feeling into a public pursuit of truth. ## Relationships ### [Marian Halcombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/marian_halcombe) _friendship_ Marian and Walter are close allies and co-investigators, sharing a deep mutual respect and working together to save Laura. ### [Laura Fairlie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/laura_fairlie) _romantic_ Laura and Walter share a deep, pure romantic love, though their relationship is initially thwarted by her marriage to Sir Percival. ### [Count Fosco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/count_fosco) _rivalry_ Fosco and Walter are direct antagonists, with Walter relentlessly pursuing Fosco to expose his crimes and rescue Laura. ### [Marian Halcombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/marian_halcombe) _friendship_ Marian and Walter are close allies and co-investigators, sharing a deep mutual respect and working together to save Laura. ### [Count Fosco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/count_fosco) _rivalry_ Fosco and Walter are direct antagonists, with Walter relentlessly pursuing Fosco to expose his crimes and rescue Laura. ### [Laura Fairlie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/laura_fairlie) _romantic_ Laura and Walter share a deep, pure romantic love, though their relationship is initially thwarted by her marriage to Sir Percival. ### [Marian Halcombe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/marian_halcombe) _friendship_ Marian and Walter are close allies and co-investigators, sharing a deep mutual respect and working together to save Laura. ### [Laura Fairlie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/laura_fairlie) _romantic_ Laura and Walter share a deep, pure romantic love, though their relationship is initially thwarted by her marriage to Sir Percival. ## 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 Woman in White](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-woman-in-white) Narrator and protagonist; encounters the Woman in White on the road and assists her. ### [The First Epoch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-first-epoch) Narrator and protagonist; encounters the Woman in White and becomes drawing master at Limmeridge House. ### [The Story Begun by Walter Hartright of Clement’s Inn, Teacher of Drawing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-begun-by-walter-hartright-of-clement-s-inn-teacher-of-drawing) Narrator and protagonist; a drawing teacher who encounters the Woman in White on his way to Limmeridge House. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) The narrator introduces himself as a teacher of drawing, aged twenty-eight, who will begin the story. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Narrator; feeling out of health, spirits, and money; visits his mother's cottage in Hampstead. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Narrator and protagonist; receives job offer from Pesca, feels inexplicable reluctance but eventually accepts. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and protagonist; meets the Woman in White on the road and agrees to help her. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/v) Narrator; tormented by thoughts of the woman in white and his role in her escape; travels to Limmeridge House. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vi) Narrates his meeting with the woman in white to Marian Halcombe. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vii) Narrator and protagonist; meets Mr. Fairlie and finds him disagreeable; prepares drawings and anticipates meeting Miss Fairlie. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/viii) Narrates the chapter; experiences a thrill of recognition upon seeing the likeness between Laura and Anne; discusses the resemblance with Marian. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ix) Narrator and drawing master at Limmeridge House; confesses his love for Laura Fairlie and his struggle with self-control. ### [The Summerhouse Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/x) Struggles with his forbidden love for Laura and the pain of leaving Limmeridge House. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/xi) Struggles with jealousy and suspicion after learning of Laura's engagement; assists Miss Halcombe in investigating the anonymous letter. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/xii) Observes Laura from his window, visits the churchyard, and suspects the ghost is Anne Catherick. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/xiii) Observes Anne Catherick in the churchyard, compares her appearance to Laura Fairlie, and attempts to gain her trust to learn the truth about the anonymous letter. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/xiv) Reports his encounter with Anne Catherick to Miss Halcombe and plans to investigate further. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/xv) Struggles with his emotions during his last evening at Limmeridge House; decides to hasten his departure but agrees to stay for dinner; receives a farewell sketch from Laura. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as the drawing-master who met Anne Catherick in the churchyard; Miss Halcombe wishes he had been present. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Encountered by Mr. Gilmore in London; appears pale, haggard, and changed, and anxiously asks about the marriage. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Absent but central to Laura's emotional conflict; his drawings are hidden under Laura's pillow. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Absent; his farewell letter is burned by Marian, and he is on an expedition to Central America, having expressed suspicions about being watched and about Anne Catherick. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/v) Referenced as the man Laura loved and still thinks of; his name was discovered by Sir Percival. ### [The Story Continued in Several Narratives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-in-several-narratives) Central narrator whose perspective continues to drive the story. ### [The Narrative of Walter Hartright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/v-the-narrative-of-walter-hartright) Returns to England after surviving a shipwreck; visits Laura's grave and encounters a shocking revelation. ### [The Third Epoch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-third-epoch) Returns to England and leads the investigation into the conspiracy. ### [The Story Continued by Walter Hartright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-walter-hartright) Narrator and protagonist, actively investigating the conspiracy. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Narrator and protagonist, now living under an assumed name as a drawing-master and engraver, devoted to restoring Laura's identity. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Narrator and protector; arranges the secret retreat, works as a wood engraver, and plans the investigation. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iv) Consults Mr. Kyrle about legal options; declares his personal mission to restore Laura's identity and punish the conspirators; notices he is being watched. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/v) Returns from Hampshire and devises a plan to investigate Sir Percival Glyde through the mystery of the woman in white. He visits Blackwater Park and is watched by a man in black, but remains resolute. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vi) Visits Mrs. Clements to investigate Anne's disappearance, carefully concealing the full conspiracy. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vii) Conducts a careful interview with Mrs. Clements, seeking clues about Sir Percival's secret and Anne's past. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/viii) Returns home, comforts Laura, devises a plan to help her, and prepares for a journey to Hampshire. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ix) Narrator and investigator; reflects on his interview with Mrs. Catherick and examines the marriage register at Old Welmingham church. ### [The Discovery of the Forgery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/x) Discovers the forgery in the marriage register, realizing Sir Percival is not the true baronet. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/xi) Attends the inquest as a witness, receives and writes letters, and reflects on the events surrounding Sir Percival's death. ### [The Story Continued by Mrs. Catherick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-mrs-catherick) The recipient of Mrs. Catherick's letter, whom she reproves for questioning Anne's parentage. ### [The Story Continued by Walter Hartright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-continued-by-walter-hartright) Narrator and protagonist, actively investigating the conspiracy. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Narrator and protagonist; receives Mrs. Catherick's letter and Marian's urgent note; attends inquest and is discharged; returns to London. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Insists on telling Laura of Sir Percival's death; resumes work and investigates Count Fosco's plans; reflects on Anne Catherick's fate. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Narrates the chapter; reflects on his love for Laura and his hesitation to propose; discusses his plan to confront Count Fosco with Marian. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iv) Narrator and protagonist, now married to Laura, resolved to investigate Count Fosco. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/v) Walter is the narrator and protagonist, who seeks Pesca's help to uncover the truth about Count Fosco. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vi) Narrator and protagonist; resolves to confront Count Fosco alone, writes a letter to Pesca as a precaution, and leaves his wife Laura and Marian behind. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/vii) Confronts Count Fosco directly, demanding the truth about the conspiracy. ### [The Story Concluded by Walter Hartright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/the-story-concluded-by-walter-hartright) Narrator and protagonist who concludes the story. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/i) Leads the presentation of evidence to the tenants, proving Laura's identity and the conspiracy. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/ii) Narrates the chapter; travels to Paris for work, witnesses Pesca's strange encounter, and later identifies Fosco's body at the Morgue. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/chapters/iii) Narrator and protagonist; returns from Paris, becomes a father, and later learns of Mr. Fairlie's death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters/walter_hartright - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_woman_in_white_se/characters