Notably tight with money, he has 'one-way pockets'. He married the daughter of a chap who made cups and basins and things, and inherited a fortune when she died. He then came into the title with its land and cash. He is now a millionaire twice over but is still happy to add to his pile. He is also very alive to class distinctions - a snob.
Uncle to Horace Davenport on his brother's side and to Archie Gilpin and Ricky Gilpin by his sister. He also has a niece, Linda and an Aunt Horatia (deceased).
He once tried to get elected to the Pelican Club but was soundly black-balled.*
He thinks everyone's potty.
He once smashed up Horace's furniture in a fit of pique when Horace declined to accompany him to the station. He invited himself to Blandings where he convinced himself that Lord Emsworth had given him the Empress. He also told Lady Constance to call in Sir Roderick Glossop to examine Lord E. and his own nephew, thinking they're potty, while himself wanting to throw eggs at someone for whistling 'The Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond'. (Uncle Fred in the Springtime).
Later he tried to steal the Empress again, to sell her at a substantial profit, and then attempted to blackmail Lord E into giving her up. (Service with a Smile).
He bought a painting with the sole purpose of selling to another chap in expectation of a quick profit. Egged on by Lady Constance, he made up to the daughter of a millionaire. (A Pelican at Blandings)
Mentioned in:
The Fat of the Land - short story
* This means that when he applied for membership to the club, the members or committee voted by putting a ball into a bag or box (unseen by the others): white to signify letting him in, black to keeping him out. One or two black balls is usually enough to reject an application but the Duke must have got lots. See also notes on gentleman's clubs.
PG was beaten to the name, as he undoubtedly knew, by Gilbert and Sullivan who used it for a character in their operetta Patience.