Persuasion
Admiral Croft
The tenant of Kellynch
A hearty, blunt naval officer who rents Kellynch Hall and is entirely without pretension.
Admiral Croft is a respected naval officer who has made his fortune at sea and wants a comfortable house on land. He is hearty, generous and plain-spoken, and he takes Kellynch Hall from Sir Walter without a hint of the snobbery he is met with. He is married to Sophia, the sister of Captain Wentworth.
His warmth contrasts with the hollow vanity of the Elliots. He and his wife are devoted to each other and share everything.
“A splendid house, Sir Walter! Sturdy rooms and plenty of good Somerset air.”
In the story
Contains spoilers.
The Admiral and his wife inspect Kellynch Hall and settle on it. Anne finds them open, kind and entirely devoted. They move in until Michaelmas, and Anne later sees them happily settled.
The couple’s way of driving their chaise together, with the Admiral warning his wife about the ditch and she asking for leave to guide the horse, shows a marriage of equals. They stay close to Wentworth and are among the family who celebrate the wedding.
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