# Sir Pitt Crawley — Vanity Fair character guide > Sir Pitt Crawley in Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Sir Pitt, Pitt Crawley, old Sir Pitt, Honest Sir Pitt **First appearance:** 0007-vii-crawley-of-queen-s-crawley ## Snapshot Coarse, miserly baronet of Queen's Crawley who cares not a brass farden for county opinion, his neglected wife, or the daughters he leaves to servants and stables. ## Who they are Sir Pitt rules his Hampshire estate with drink, blows, and cheerful indifference to anyone's good opinion, marrying a tradesman's pretty daughter and letting her fade into a household machine. His proposal to the governess Rebecca Sharp—and her refusal of a baronet with four thousand a year—becomes one of the novel's great comic mysteries. He anchors the Crawley family's grubby provincial branch, showing what Becky is willing to flatter and what she is shrewd enough to decline. ## Relationships ### [Becky Sharp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/becky_sharp) _professional_ Becky serves as governess to Sir Pitt's children, then becomes his confidante and later his daughter-in-law after marrying his son Rawdon. ### [Amelia Sedley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/amelia_sedley) _social_ Amelia is a polite acquaintance of Sir Pitt through her connection to Becky and the Crawley family circle. ### [Lady Jane Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/lady_jane_crawley) _family_ Lady Jane is the devoted wife of Sir Pitt Crawley the younger, supporting his moral stand against his father and Becky. ### [Amelia Sedley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/amelia_sedley) _social_ Amelia is a polite acquaintance of Sir Pitt through her connection to Becky and the Crawley family circle. ### [Becky Sharp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/becky_sharp) _professional_ Becky serves as governess to Sir Pitt's children, then becomes his confidante and later his daughter-in-law after marrying his son Rawdon. ### [Becky Sharp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/becky_sharp) _professional_ Becky serves as governess to Sir Pitt's children, then becomes his confidante and later his daughter-in-law after marrying his son Rawdon. ### [Lady Jane Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/lady_jane_crawley) _family_ Lady Jane is the devoted wife of Sir Pitt Crawley the younger, supporting his moral stand against his father and Becky. ### [Lady Jane Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/lady_jane_crawley) _family_ Lady Jane is the devoted wife of Sir Pitt Crawley the younger, supporting his moral stand against his father and Becky. ### [Amelia Sedley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/amelia_sedley) _social_ Amelia is a polite acquaintance of Sir Pitt through her connection to Becky and the Crawley family circle. ## In the story ### [Crawley of Queen’s Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/vii-crawley-of-queen-s-crawley) Introduced as a miserly, litigious baronet and MP who is coarse and penny-pinching, yet shrewd about money. ### [Crawley of Queen’s Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/vii-crawley-of-queen-s-crawley) Mentioned as Sir Pitt's elder son, named after the 'heaven-born minister' Pitt. ### [Private and Confidential](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/viii-private-and-confidential) Depicted as vulgar, stingy, and coarse, contrasting sharply with Becky's romantic expectations of a baronet. ### [Private and Confidential](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/viii-private-and-confidential) Mentioned as reading sermons in the evening and being locked in his study or riding on county business. ### [IX: Family Portraits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/ix-family-portraits) A vulgar, miserly baronet who married beneath his station for a pretty face, treats his wife with cruelty, and delights in evading his debts. ### [IX: Family Portraits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/ix-family-portraits) Sir Pitt's eldest son, a prim and proper gentleman who reforms the household's discipline, speaks in trite platitudes, and is a religious enthusiast. ### [X: Miss Sharp Begins to Make Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/x-miss-sharp-begins-to-make-friends) Sir Pitt grows fond of Rebecca, sharing estate business with her and preferring her company over the butler's at dinner. ### [X: Miss Sharp Begins to Make Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/x-miss-sharp-begins-to-make-friends) Mr. Crawley, the elder son, is impressed by Rebecca's supposed high breeding and piety, and he helps her with French and religious texts. ### [XI: Arcadian Simplicity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xi-arcadian-simplicity) The Baronet, brother to Bute, who has bested Bute in financial transactions and is known for breaking promises. ### [XI: Arcadian Simplicity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xi-arcadian-simplicity) Sir Pitt's eldest son, a Methodist milksop who sets up a meeting house and looks to Parliament. ### [Miss Crawley at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xiv-miss-crawley-at-home) Desperate for Becky's return to Queen's Crawley, he sends frequent letters to her and Miss Crawley, pleading for her to resume her duties as governess and secretary. ### [XV: In Which Rebecca's Husband Appears for a Short Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xv-in-which-rebecca-s-husband-appears-for-a-short-time) Proposes to Rebecca and is refused; learns of her marriage and reacts with coarse humor. ### [Chapter XVI: The Letter on the Pincushion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xvi-the-letter-on-the-pincushion) His proposal to Rebecca is mentioned as a recent event that Rebecca refused due to her secret marriage. ### [In Which Miss Crawley’s Relations Are Very Anxious About Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxiii-in-which-miss-crawley-s-relations-are-very-anxious-about-her) Engaged to Lady Jane, he seeks to secure Miss Crawley's fortune and soul, aligning with Lady Southdown's religious and medical impositions. ### [In Which Miss Crawley’s Relations Are Very Anxious About Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxiii-in-which-miss-crawley-s-relations-are-very-anxious-about-her) The old baronet has sunk into dissipation, drinking with tenants and flaunting Miss Horrocks, to the horror of his son. ### [James Crawley's Pipe Is Put Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxiv-james-crawley-s-pipe-is-put-out) Manipulatively hosts James at Brighton, encouraging his drinking to expose his vulgarity and secure his own position with Miss Crawley. ### [The Subject Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-subject-continued) Inherits Miss Crawley's fortune, responds graciously to Rawdon's letter, but declines to share the legacy. ### [A Cynical Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxix-a-cynical-chapter) The old baronet, scandalous and reclusive, suffers a sudden collapse after a night of drinking with Horrocks. ### [A Cynical Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxix-a-cynical-chapter) Mentioned as the hypocritical nephew who inherited Miss Crawley's fortune, and to whom an express is sent after Sir Pitt's collapse. ### [XL: In Which Becky Is Recognized by the Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xl-in-which-becky-is-recognized-by-the-family) Becomes Sir Pitt after his father's death, takes over estate management, and asserts his authority over Lady Southdown. ### [XL: In Which Becky Is Recognized by the Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xl-in-which-becky-is-recognized-by-the-family) Dies after a long decline, leaving the estate to his elder son. ### [In Which Becky Revisits the Halls of Her Ancestors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xli-in-which-becky-revisits-the-halls-of-her-ancestors) Now the baronet, receives the couple with a handshake and is favorably impressed by Becky's deference. ### [XLIV: A Roundabout Chapter Between London and Hampshire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xliv-a-roundabout-chapter-between-london-and-hampshire) Visits London, stays with Rawdon and Becky, is charmed by Becky, and gives a small sum for little Rawdon despite being aware of his brother's poverty. ### [XLIV: A Roundabout Chapter Between London and Hampshire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xliv-a-roundabout-chapter-between-london-and-hampshire) Mentioned as the son and heir, aloof and examining little Rawdon like a little dog does a big dog. ### [Between Hampshire and London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xlv-between-hampshire-and-london) Rebuilds the family's popularity and position in Hampshire, guided by Rebecca's advice, and begins to shine in society. ### [Gaunt House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xlvii-gaunt-house) Mentioned as the departed Sir Pitt Crawley, in whose time Rebecca was first introduced to Great Gaunt Street. ### [In Which the Reader Is Introduced to the Very Best of Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xlviii-in-which-the-reader-is-introduced-to-the-very-best-of-company) Escorts Becky to Court in his new family carriage, acting as her sponsor. ### [In Which Lord Steyne Shows Himself in a Most Amiable Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/lii-in-which-lord-steyne-shows-himself-in-a-most-amiable-light) Confronts Becky about her conduct with Lord Steyne and the Frenchmen; quarrels with her over family honor; ceases his visits but attends the charade-night under obligation. ### [Sunday After the Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/liv-sunday-after-the-battle) Receives Rawdon coldly, refuses further financial help, but is shocked by the thousand-pound note. ### [In Which the Same Subject Is Pursued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/lv-in-which-the-same-subject-is-pursued) Shocked by Becky's visit and Lady Jane's outburst, but agrees to seek reconciliation between Rawdon and Becky. ### [A Vagabond Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/lxiv-a-vagabond-chapter) Poisoned against Becky by Wenham, he insists on legal correspondence only and supports Lady Jane in keeping Becky away. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/sir_pitt_crawley - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters