# Richard Waverley — Waverley character guide

> Richard Waverley in Waverley by Walter Scott.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Richard, Mr. Richard Waverley, Sir Richard Waverley

**First appearance:** 0007-part-i-ii-waverley-honour-a-retrospect

## Snapshot

Edward's Whig father, a calculating London politician whose neglect of his son's upbringing sets the whole story quietly in motion.

## Who they are

Richard Waverley is an ambitious Hanoverian placeman who trades his son's education for his own advancement, leaving Edward to be raised by his Jacobite uncle and to drift, unguided, into the Highlands. The family's split loyalties — Whig father, Tory uncle — make Edward a man without a political home, and the Prince's later remark that a Waverley is welcome among Stuarts lands because the name itself carries weight. Richard never appears in person, but his cold calculation shadows every choice his son makes.

## In the story

### [Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/waverley)

Edward's father, a pragmatic Hanoverian politician whose ambitions contrast with his brother's Jacobite leanings.

### [Waverley-Honour—A Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-ii-waverley-honour-a-retrospect)

Edward's father, a Whig placeman who breaks with family Tory tradition; his political career and marriage lead to a cold but eventually renewed relationship with Sir Everard.

### [III: Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-iii-education)

Edward's father, too preoccupied with his own ambitions to notice Edward's true inclinations.

### [Choice of a Profession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-v-choice-of-a-profession)

Arranges Edward's commission after a hint from the minister; writes to Sir Everard justifying the decision.

### [VI: The Adieus of Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-vi-the-adieus-of-waverley)

Edward's father is referenced as having consented to his son's military career, in accordance with God's will.

### [News from England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxv-news-from-england)

His political disgrace is reported in the newspaper; his earlier letters hinted at greatness but now he is disgraced.

### [A Brave Man in Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvi-a-brave-man-in-sorrow)

Mentioned in the letter as being at large but not permitted to leave London.

### [A Journey to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxii-a-journey-to-london)

Reported dead in a newspaper article; his death is attributed to a lingering disorder worsened by suspicion of high treason.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/richard_waverley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters