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Francis Haney
Gender Male
Animal Bear
Complexion Beige (s1-s5)
Gray (s6-s15, s20)
Tan (s16-s19)
Favorite color Maroon[1]
Residence Francis Haney's house, Elwood City
Family Niece
Nephew
Mother
Job Principal
Book debut Arthur's Eyes
Cartoon debut "Arthur's Eyes"
Voiced by Walter Massey (s1-s19)

Francis Haney[2][3] (formerly Herb Haney[4][5]) is the former principal of Lakewood Elementary. He oversees everything happening in the school, whether it be school events, bad behavior from pupils, school renovations, etc. Besides being the principal, he is very active in the community of Elwood City and often takes part in managing or competing in public events, especially if they are sponsored by the school. He leaves Elwood City in Season 20 to fulfill his dream of building a school in Tanzania in Africa, being temporarily replaced by Cecilia Tingley.[6]

In the first few seasons of the show, there was a running gag with Mr. Haney. He would randomly appear with a toy or a balloon, or would have bad luck for no apparent reason. He would get hit by things such as burgers on the face or get knocked off of his bed by the Tooth Fairy; most of this was because of his simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Everybody would respond by saying, "Sorry, sir." His luck has shown to be improved in later seasons, though.

He also has a niece and nephew who appear in "The Return of the King" and who are tutored by Mr. Ratburn's former third Grade teacher Mr. Pryce-Jones.

He is also a tax customer of Jane Read, the mother of one of his pupils, Arthur Read; this was revealed in "Arthur's Mystery Envelope" when he gives Arthur an envelope filled with tax documents. Arthur initially thought that it contained information regarding him, but later found out it didn't, much to his relief.

Physical appearance[]

Haney s2

Mr. Haney, as he appeared in season 2.

Mr. Haney is a bear with light gray fur. He is often seen wearing a light blue jacket suit over a white shirt and a red and blue striped tie. He also wears dark blue pants with brown loafers and brown framed glasses. In the summer, he wears a turquoise blue t-shirt with dark blue at the bottom and tip of sleeves, white shorts with dark blue at the top and bottom and on the sides and red and white sneakers. He is one of the few characters in the series depicted with fur, as opposed to a complexion like most of the characters that have human-like skin tones.

In the Arthur books, Mr. Haney is usually depicted wearing a green suit rather than a blue one. However, during Season 16 through 19 of Arthur, Mr. Haney started wearing a green suit on the show as well. In the few appearances he makes beginning with Season 20, he is back in his blue suit.

Personality[]

Mr. Haney is a kind character who cares deeply about the well-being of his students, but will deal a stern stance if they do anything to disrupt the day for their class or their teachers. He also can be a bit clueless, having been talked out of giving a punishment by students like Binky Barnes,[7] though this happens only on rare occasions. He tends to be rather clumsy and becomes distracted or confused easily, requiring the assistance of Ms. Tingley.[8][9][10] He has dyslexia.[11]

Appearances[]

Trivia[]

Gallery[]

Main article: Francis Haney/Gallery

References[]

  1. http://pbskids.org/arthur/print/tradingcards/cards.html#pg-haney2
  2. Buster the Lounge Lizard
  3. "Hello? Yes, this is Francis Haney. I might be eligible for a cruise to Fiji? Why yes, I am interested." — Francis Haney, "Arthur's Number Nightmare"
  4. "I've been trying to reach Herb all day."
    "But this is from Mr. Haney."
    "That's his first name."
    Jane Read and Arthur Read, "Arthur's Mystery Envelope"
  5. "See you, Herb."Binky Barnes, "The Chips are Down"
  6. 6.0 6.1 The Hallway Minotaur
  7. The Chips Are Down
  8. Draw!
  9. Arthur's TV-Free Week
  10. Fifteen
  11. The Boy with His Head in the Clouds



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