The Art of Manliness A Butler’s Guide to Managing Your Household
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Nov 25, 2025 
In this discussion, Charles McPherson, a veteran butler and founder of North America's only registered butler school, shares his expert insights on household management. He traces the history of domestic service and explains its modern resurgence. Learn why maintaining a 'butler's book' can simplify home upkeep, discover essential cleaning tips, and hear surprising recommendations, like keeping your bedsheets fresh and optimizing shower care. Charles also highlights 'little luxuries' that can elevate everyday life.
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Why Domestic Service Rose, Fell, And Returned
- Domestic service peaked in the Victorian era because running large homes required massive manual labor before modern utilities.
- It declined mid-20th century as appliances and mass production made staffing less necessary, then resurged with new wealth in the 1980s onward.
How Charles Became A Butler
- Charles McPherson took a butler job after catering and learned directly from the lady of the house through weekly lessons.
- Within a year he became majordomo overseeing three homes and up to 30 staff, which launched his butlering career.
The Butler As Household COO
- Modern butlers act more like chief operating officers managing staff, budgets, schedules, and large mechanical systems.
- Large homes function like small businesses requiring proactive planning and systems, not just serving tasks.
