In the novel After the Funeral, Cornelius Abernethie was the original patriach of the Abernethie family. He founded the company which specialised in cornplasters and foot preparations which became the basis for the Abernethie family fortune which included, among other things, the extensive Enderby Hall estate.
Cornelius married Coralie Bessington and they were the parents of Richard Abernethie, Leo Abernethie, Laura Crossfield, Timothy Abernethie, Gordon Abernethie, Geraldine Carson and Cora Lansquenet. Cornelius was already deceased at the beginning of the events in the book.