William Franklin

William Franklin, of the Manchester Franklins, is the husband of Jane, the father of Eudora and Henrietta, and the uncle (and guardian) of Anthea. He is the brother of Anthea's late father.

William wears a pince-nez and a powdered wig. He is most concerned with propriety and status, and tries to impress upon Anthea that it is important for her to do the things expected of young ladies in polite society. He disapproves of her fondness for Mr. Edwin Marlowe, due to Edwin's brother's reputation and the fact that the Marlowes are 'new money', Charles Marlowe (Edwin's father) being a tradesman.