Age
The narrator says that he appears to be “about forty.”
Family and Situation
Sir John Middleton is married to Lady Middleton. They have four children: John, William and Annamaria, and one other child.
Sir John is related to Mrs. Dashwood through her family. At one point we are told that he had visited “his young cousins” at Stanhill, but that they were too young at the time to remember him, suggesting that he is Mrs. Dashwood’s nephew. Alternatively, Austen could be using “cousin” to mean “second cousin” or even “kinsman” more generally. Sir John and Mrs. Dashwood are of similar age, so if he is indeed her nephew, he must be a son by a significantly older sibling of Mrs. Dashwood.
Sir John is either a knight or a baronet and owns Barton Park, which appears to be the center of Barton, Devonshire. When Mrs. Dashwood is considering his offer, the narrator says he is “a gentleman of consequence and property.” Sir John also appears to have a house in Conduit Street, London, suggesting that he is quite well off.
Appearance
The narrator says that “Sir John Middleton was a good looking man about forty. He had formerly visited at Stanhill, but it was too long for his young cousins to remember him. His countenance was thoroughly good-humored; and his manners were as friendly as the style of his letter.”
Connections
As Sir John has a house in town and loves to entertain, it is likely that he has a range of connections in the ton that we never meet.
Sir John is clearly old friends with Colonel Brandon, perhaps because their estates are neighboring. Charlotte Palmer at one point implies that Sir John would have convinced Brandon to marry her if she wanted, but it is unclear how truthful that may be.
Character
First and foremost, we are told that Sir John Middleton’s marriage is not a particularly affectionate one: “They were scarcely ever without some friends staying with them in the house, and they kept more company of every kind than any other family in the neighbourhood. It was necessary to the happiness of both; for however dissimilar in temper and outward behaviour, they strongly resembled each other in that total want of talent and taste which confined their employments, unconnected with such as society produced, within a very narrow compass. Sir John was a sportsman, Lady Middleton a mother. He hunted and shot, and she humoured her children; and these were their only resources. Lady Middleton had the advantage of being able to spoil her children all the year round, while Sir John's independent employments were in existence only half the time. Continual engagements at home and abroad, however, supplied all the deficiencies of nature and education; supported the good spirits of Sir John, and gave exercise to the good breeding of his wife.”
Sir John is also noteworthy for being friendly and kind. He goes out of his way to offer Barton Cottage to Mrs. Dashwood and is eager to entertain and please the family once they arrive. “Their arrival seemed to afford him real satisfaction, and their comfort to be an object of real solicitude to him. He said much of his earnest desire of their living in the most sociable terms with his family...His kindness was not confined to words; for within an hour after he left them, a large basket full of garden stuff and fruit arrived from the park, which was followed before the end of the day by a present of game. He insisted, moreover, on conveying all their letters to and from the post for them, and would not be denied the satisfaction of sending them his newspaper every day.”
We see, again and again, that Sir John is very sociable and loves to entertain, without much regard for how posh the society may be. We are told “he delighted in collecting about him more young people than his house would hold, and the noisier they were the better was he pleased. He was a blessing to all the juvenile part of the neighbourhood, for in summer he was for ever forming parties to eat cold ham and chicken out of doors, and in winter his private balls were numerous enough for any young lady who was not suffering under the unsatiable appetite of fifteen.” Later on, he is barely settled in his London home before he issues general invitations to everyone in his immediate circle of acquaintance. We know this trait also translates into a certain lack of discrimination; he quickly takes to the Steeles after their flattery wins him over.
Habits and Hobbies
Sir John Middleton is an avid sportsman; the narrator even so go far as to say he is pleased to have a family of females settled at the cottage because they will not hunt his game.
We know Barton Park does not have a billiard room, so Sir John must not play with any frequency.
