Butler

Butler

== Butler ==

A Butler is a domestic worker in a large household. In great houses, the household is sometimes divided into departments with the butler in charge of the dining room, wine cellar, and pantry. Some also have charge of the entire parlour floor, and housekeepers caring for the entire house and its appearance. A butler is usually male, and in charge of male servants, while a housekeeper is usually a woman, and in charge of female servants. Traditionally, male servants (such as footmen) were rarer and therefore better paid and of higher status than female servants. The butler, as the senior male servant, has the highest servant status. He can also sometimes function as a chauffeur.

Duties and functions

In the past, the butler was hired by the master of the house, but today many are employed by professional household staffing agencies. The role of the butler, for centuries, has been that of the chief steward of a household, the attendant entrusted with the care and serving of wine and other bottled beverages, which in ancient times might have represented a considerable portion of the household's assets.

History

The role of the butler has evolved over time. From the 17th century until the late 18th century, the butler gradually became the senior, usually male, member of a household's staff in the very grandest households. However, there was sometimes a steward who ran the outside estate and financial affairs, rather than just the household, and who was senior to the butler in social status into the 19th century.

Modern butlers

Since the early 20th century, the role of the butler has changed considerably. The butler can now be the household manager and have a much broader range of responsibilities than those of a traditional butler. Today, female butlers are sometimes preferred, especially for work within Middle and Far Eastern families where there may be religious objections to having male domestic staff.

See also

• Household
• Domestic worker
• Footman
• Chauffeur
• Housekeeper (domestic worker)

External links

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