Edward Murdstone

Edward Murdstone (commonly known as Mr. Murdstone) is a character in the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield.

He married Clara Copperfield when David is about nine years old (his father died three months before he was born). Soon afterwards, his sister Jane moved into the house at Blunderstone with them.

Mr Murdstone was a paranoid disciplinarian who thrashed David for falling behind in his studies, only for David to bite his fingers. He sent David away to Salem House, a boarding school owned by his friend Mr Creakle.

While David was at Salem House, Clara gave birth to her and Edward's son. Three months later, Clara and her baby died. David is summoned home from Salem House and sent to work at Mr Murdstone's factory in London. Mr Murdstone also arranged to David to live with a friend called Wilkins Micawber, who took good care of David. After being released from a debtor's prison, Mr Micawber moved to Plymouth and David fled the factory (which was chiefly involved in "the supply of wines and spirits to certain packet ships") to find his aunt Betsey Trotwood at Dover.

Mr Murdstone later receives a letter from Miss Trotwood, informing her of David's arrival. He travels down to Dover to discuss David's future with Miss Trotwood, who eventually agrees to take over as David's legal guardian, and then blasts Mr Murdstone for his appalling treatment of Clara and David.