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Morgan Harris was the father of Emmeline Harris, the son of Margaret Harris, the brother of Pauline Harris, and a love interest of Anne Shirley.

Biography[]

Morgan was born to Josiah Harris and Margaret Pringle in the mid-1800s, and was the older brother of Pauline. According to Mrs. Harris, Morgan was spoiled by his father. He grew up in Kingsport, New Brunswick, and married Adelaide Pringle, his first cousin on his mother's side. She gave birth to Morgan's daughter, Emmeline, but their relationship had already fallen on hard times, with Morgan developing a bad reputation as a philanderer. Adelaide ran off shortly after giving birth and died of consumption, which the Pringle family claimed was Morgan's fault and that she had really died of a broken heart. His own mother turned on him and the Harris family cut themselves off from the rest of Kingsport. Morgan left for business and took his daughter with him, but Emmeline was sent to boarding school and rarely saw her father. The Pringles believed that Morgan could not stand the sight of his child.

In the early 1900s, Morgan ran into Anne Shirley on Prince Edward Island, who was collecting her papers that had blown all over the beach. Morgan helped her and asked if she was journalist. Anne replied that she was a teacher and writer. Some time later, they had another encounter after almost crashing into one another late at night. Morgan said he had been wondering who she was and complimented Anne's red hair. He offered her a ride home but she refused.

Unbeknownst to either Morgan or Anne, she would go on to become Emmeline's English and literature teacher at Kingsport Ladies' College. One day, Morgan was called to KLC by Katherine Brooke, the strict and unforgiving principal, who claimed that Emmeline needed remedial discipline. Morgan knew that his daughter's teacher was involved and wanted her reprimanded as well, deciding to withdraw his daughter and his financial support from the college. Soon thereafter, an incident involving fireworks broke out in Emmeline's classroom. Morgan went to get his daughter and realized that Anne was the teacher who was in trouble with Miss Brooke. He drove away with Emmeline and later sent her to live with his mother and sister at Maplehurst, a lavish mansion near the college, before going back to Boston due to business affairs.

When Morgan returned to Kingsport, he found that Miss Shirley had completely transformed his family. The two quarreled, with Morgan saying that Anne was an insane as the Pringles made her out to be. Anne replied that Morgan was too self-centered and narrow-minded to realize that his little girl desperately loved him. Sometime later, Anne paid a visit to Morgan and asked that he allow Emmeline to star as Mary, Queen of Scots in KLC's fundraising play, as the original star, Jen Pringle, had called off sick. Morgan admitted that he had reacted hastily to pulling Emmeline out of school and gave his consent. He watched his daughter perform that night, where she stole his heart. Morgan asked Miss Shirley to continue tutoring Emmeline and let his daughter to back to KLC next term. Morgan became interested in Miss Shirley and sent her a bouquet of roses, asking if she would accompany the Harris family on a trip to Boston.

While in Boston, Morgan and his mother argued about whom Emmeline should live with. He also talked with Anne about why he avoided Kingsport, and admitted he was waiting for a reason to return. He implied to her that she was the reason he would return in the future. Morgan, Anne, and Emmeline enjoyed their stay in Boston, keeping busy by ice skating, sailing, and buying new clothes and accessories.

Back in Kingsport, Anne heard rumors that Morgan was seeing Elvira Evans, who had been staying at Maplehurst for two weeks. Morgan caught up with her near the post office one day and asked if she was attending the Hospital Benefit the following day. He asked her to save him a space on her card for a waltz, and Anne agreed. At the bazaar, Anne saw Morgan with Elvira and left without giving him the promised waltz. Morgan caught up with her outside in the snow and explained that Elvira was only a business associate, insisting that Anne come back to Maplehurst. Anne believed she would be nothing but Emmeline's governess and kicked Morgan when he grabbed her. Morgan then shocked Anne with a proposal of marriage. She admitted that she had always dreamed of such a moment but could not accept, for reasons she could not describe then and there. The two returned to the ball as Anne still had a waltz spot left.

After Mrs. Harris died, Anne and Morgan met again at the funeral. He asked her if she would reconsider, but she explained it was of no use. With Pauline engaged to be married, Morgan decided to sell Maplehurst and return to Boston with Emmeline. He bid Anne farewell, saying he would miss her.

Personality[]

Physical appearance[]

Relationships[]

Emmeline Harris[]

Pauline Harris[]

Anne Shirley[]

Miss Pringle[]

Etymology[]

Morgan is believed to be from the Old Welsh masculine name Morcant, which possibly is derived from the Welsh mor, meaning "sea" and cant, meaning "circle".

Harris means "son of Harry".

Behind the scenes[]

Portrayal

  • Frank Converse portrayed Morgan in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel (1987).
  • Converse originally had a moustache for the role, but shaved it off because Kevin Sullivan thought Morgan looked too old.

Trivia

Gallery[]

Anne of Green Gables Wiki has 8 images of Morgan Harris (view category).

Appearances[]

References[]

See also[]

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