# John Urquhart — Wolf Solent character guide

> John Urquhart in Wolf Solent by John Cowper Powys.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Urquhart, John, Mr. John Urquhart, old Urquhart, Urquhart, the sardonic Mr. Urquhart, the great John Urquhart

**First appearance:** 0004-a-dorset-chronicle

## Snapshot

A wealthy, limping antiquarian with suspicious green-black eyes, he hires Wolf Solent to write his family history and seems to be listening for enemies at every door.

## Who they are

Urquhart is the squire of King's Barton, a man of massive head and stomach propped on feeble legs, whose silken voice and nervous, hunted glances make him impossible to read. He lays three places at dinner expecting guests who never arrive, and his querulous suspicion of Wolf's solitary walk hints at secrets he guards obsessively. As Wolf's employer, he draws the younger man into a project whose true stakes remain murky, setting the novel's central tension between scholarly work and buried family intrigue.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mrs_solent)

_professional_

John Urquhart is a landowner and employer who interacts with Mrs. Solent regarding estate matters and local power structures.

### [Mrs. Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mrs_solent)

_professional_

John Urquhart is a landowner and employer who interacts with Mrs. Solent regarding estate matters and local power structures.

### [Mrs. Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/mrs_solent)

_professional_

John Urquhart is a landowner and employer who interacts with Mrs. Solent regarding estate matters and local power structures.

## In the story

### [Wolf Solent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/wolf-solent)

Wolf's new employer, a historian with a mysterious project.

### [The Face on the Waterloo Steps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-face-on-the-waterloo-steps)

The Squire of King's Barton who has offered Wolf a position; his letter is read.

### [A Dorset Chronicle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/a-dorset-chronicle)

Hosts Wolf, expounds on his historical method and religious skepticism, appears sinister.

### [Gerda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/gerda)

Mr. Urquhart gives Wolf vague instructions about the book and sends him on an errand to Blacksod.

### [Bar Sinister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/bar-sinister)

Mr. Urquhart discusses Wolf's mother's arrival, mentions Lord Carfax's past love for her, and warns Wolf not to play tricks like the previous assistant.

### [The Horse-Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-horse-fair)

Observed at the fair watching the stallion parade; exchanges a nod with Lord Lovelace; later discussed by Jason Otter as being on the road to death.

### [The Slowworm of Lenty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/the-slowworm-of-lenty)

Suspected by Wolf of encouraging Bob Weevil's mischief; mentioned as sardonic and manipulative.

### [Home for Bastards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/home-for-bastards)

Mr. Urquhart is absorbed in research with Wolf and offers Roger Monk's services for the drive.

### [Crooked Smoke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/crooked-smoke)

The Squire discusses Albert Smith's death and suicide with Wolf, then walks to Lenty Pond.

### [Rounded with a Sleep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/rounded-with-a-sleep)

Wolf plans to visit his house but decides to have tea at the Otters' instead.

### [A Game of Bowls](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/a-game-of-bowls)

Absent from the scene, but his book and influence weigh heavily on Wolf's conscience.

### [Wine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/wine)

Wolf negotiates with him for an advance of two hundred pounds to finish the book.

### [Slate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/slate)

Delighted with Wolf's work on the History of Dorset; hosts a tense gathering where Wolf returns the cheque.

### [Forget](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/chapters/forget)

Mr. Urquhart announces the arrival of proofs for his book and engages in banter with the waiter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters/john_urquhart
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/wolf_solent_se/characters