# Arthur Townsend — Washington Square character guide

> Arthur Townsend in Washington Square by Henry James.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Arthur, young Townsend

**First appearance:** 0005-vi

## Who they are

Morris's cousin, a cheerful young man engaged to Marian Almond.

## Relationships

### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper)

_social_

Arthur is Morris's cousin and a minor acquaintance of Catherine, present at social gatherings but not deeply involved in the central drama.

### [Dr. Austin Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/dr_austin_sloper)

_social_

Arthur is a polite young man who interacts with Dr. Sloper as a family acquaintance, but their relationship is superficial.

### [Lavinia Penniman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/lavinia_penniman)

_social_

Arthur is a relative of Morris and a social acquaintance of Lavinia, who uses him as a source of information about Morris.

### [Morris Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/morris_townsend)

_family_

Arthur is Morris's cousin, and their relationship is cordial but distant, with Arthur being more conventional and less calculating.

### [Dr. Austin Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/dr_austin_sloper)

_social_

Arthur is a polite young man who interacts with Dr. Sloper as a family acquaintance, but their relationship is superficial.

### [Morris Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/morris_townsend)

_family_

Arthur is Morris's cousin, and their relationship is cordial but distant, with Arthur being more conventional and less calculating.

### [Lavinia Penniman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/lavinia_penniman)

_social_

Arthur is a relative of Morris and a social acquaintance of Lavinia, who uses him as a source of information about Morris.

### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper)

_social_

Arthur is Morris's cousin and a minor acquaintance of Catherine, present at social gatherings but not deeply involved in the central drama.

### [Catherine Sloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/catherine_sloper)

_social_

Arthur is Morris's cousin and a minor acquaintance of Catherine, present at social gatherings but not deeply involved in the central drama.

## In the story

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/iv)

Arthur is mentioned as Morris's cousin who brought him to the party and described Morris as conceited.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/chapters/v)

Arthur accompanies his cousin, discusses his upcoming marriage to Marian Almond and his views on New York real estate, and provides information about Morris's background.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters/arthur_townsend
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/washington_square_se/characters