# Austin Ruthyn — Uncle Silas character guide > Austin Ruthyn in Uncle Silas by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Austin, poor Austin, the late Mr. Austin Ruthyn of Knowl, Mr. Ruthyn, The late Mr. Ruthyn, Knowl, poor dear Austin, dear Knowl, Poor dear Austin, Mr. Austin Ruthyn, beloved old Knowl, papa, Papa **First appearance:** 0003-volume-i-i-austin-ruthyn-of-knowl-and-his-daughter ## Snapshot Maud's scholarly, reclusive father, whose austere love and fateful choice of guardian shape everything that follows his death. ## Who they are Austin Ruthyn of Knowl is a widower who has raised Maud in studious seclusion, a man of strict principles and old grievances whose will places his daughter under his brother Silas's care. His chilly, principled reserve hides a deep tenderness for Maud, and his decision to trust Silas despite the family's dark history becomes the hinge on which the plot turns. His death in the novel's opening movement leaves Maud exposed, and his memory haunts every judgment she must make about the man he chose to protect her. ## Relationships ### [Maud Ruthyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/maud_ruthyn) _family_ Austin Ruthyn is Maud's loving but reclusive father, whose death sets the plot in motion and whose trust in his brother proves tragically misplaced. ### [Maud Ruthyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/maud_ruthyn) _family_ Austin Ruthyn is Maud's loving but reclusive father, whose death sets the plot in motion and whose trust in his brother proves tragically misplaced. ### [Maud Ruthyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/maud_ruthyn) _family_ Austin Ruthyn is Maud's loving but reclusive father, whose death sets the plot in motion and whose trust in his brother proves tragically misplaced. ## In the story ### [Uncle Silas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/uncle-silas) Maud's father, a reclusive and religious man who is her guardian. ### [Austin Ruthyn, of Knowl, and His Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-i-austin-ruthyn-of-knowl-and-his-daughter) Maud's father, a wealthy recluse and Swedenborgian, who is secretive and stern but loves his daughter. ### [Uncle Silas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-ii-uncle-silas) Maud's father, speaks cryptically about a journey with a friend and about Uncle Silas. ### [III: A New Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-iii-a-new-face) Maud's father, mentioned in connection with his mysterious intimations and the approaching visitor. ### [IV: Madame de la Rougierre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-iv-madame-de-la-rougierre) Austin Ruthyn informs Maud of Madame de la Rougierre's arrival as her governess, having approved the appointment. ### [Sights and Noises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-v-sights-and-noises) Reprimands Maud based on Madame's false complaints, insisting she show respect and obedience, but shows a measure of kindness afterward. ### [A Walk in the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-vi-a-walk-in-the-wood) Maud's father is mentioned as the subject of Madame's inquiries about his will and health; he adjudicates the brandy dispute. ### [Church Scarsdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-vii-church-scarsdale) Appears in Maud's nightmare as a white-faced, malignant figure crying 'Death.' ### [IX: Monica Knollys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-ix-monica-knollys) Shows rare good humor and thawing in Lady Knollys' company, is a Swedenborgian, plans to take Maud to London if Doctor Bryerly permits. ### [X: Lady Knollys Removes a Coverlet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-x-lady-knollys-removes-a-coverlet) Appears briefly, tolerating Lady Knollys' teasing about remarriage. ### [A Curious Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xii-a-curious-conversation) Austin is mentioned as having been very kind to Silas but unforgiving of his marriage, and as having broken with his political party over the scandal. ### [XIII: Before and After Breakfast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xiii-before-and-after-breakfast) Austin Ruthyn participates in the conversation about Captain Oakley, showing a dry, amused demeanor. He reaffirms his decision never to remarry. ### [Angry Words](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv-angry-words) Defends his decision to keep Madame; becomes angry with Lady Knollys for her accusations. ### [XVI: Doctor Bryerly Looks In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xvi-doctor-bryerly-looks-in) Appears dejected, meets privately with Doctor Bryerly, and informs Maud of his impending departure and her new guardian. ### [XVII: An Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xvii-an-adventure) Maud's father, who is furious about the attack and tries to intercept the party. ### [A Midnight Visitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xviii-a-midnight-visitor) Maud's father, who confronts and dismisses Madame de la Rougierre after learning of her theft. ### [XIX: Au Revoir](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xix-au-revoir) Maud's father, who speaks passionately about vindicating the Ruthyn name and reveals his distrust of Uncle Silas's passivity; he extracts a promise from Maud not to discuss the conversation with Lady Knollys. ### [Austin Ruthyn Sets Out on His Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xx-austin-ruthyn-sets-out-on-his-journey) Austin is agitated and secretive about his journey; he dies at the end of the chapter. ### [Arrivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxi-arrivals) Recently deceased from a ruptured aneurysm; his death is the central event of the chapter. ### [I Talk with Doctor Bryerly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiii-i-talk-with-doctor-bryerly) The late Mr. Ruthyn is mentioned as having made a solemn promise to Bryerly and as the author of the unusual will. ### [XXV: I Hear from Uncle Silas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxv-i-hear-from-uncle-silas) Mentioned as the deceased father whose will placed Maud under Uncle Silas's guardianship. ### [The Story of Uncle Silas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxvi-the-story-of-uncle-silas) Austin is mentioned as Silas's brother who repeatedly paid his debts and was distressed by the scandal. ### [How the Ambassador Fared](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/chapters/volume-i-xxix-how-the-ambassador-fared) Austin Ruthyn's letters are discovered, expressing his desire to vindicate his brother Silas through the guardianship, which haunts Maud. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters/austin_ruthyn - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/uncle_silas_se/characters