Agnes Grey · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë.
Agnes Grey
major
Also known as Miss Grey, Grey, Dear Miss Grey, Agnes
The protagonist and narrator, a governess who seeks independence and faces hardships.
Rosalie Murray
major
Also known as Rosalie, Miss Rosalie, Rosalie Murray
A beautiful, flirtatious pupil of Agnes who marries for wealth and status.
Matilda Murray
supporting
Also known as Matilda, Miss Matilda, Miss Murray, Miss Matilda Murray, the Misses Murray, the amiable Miss Murray, the thoughtless Miss Murray, Matilda Murray
The younger, tomboyish Murray sister, rough and unrefined.
Edward Weston
major
Also known as Mr. Weston, the beautiful Mr. Weston, Maister Weston, Maister Weston—Maister Weston, Edward
The kind, principled curate who becomes Agnes's love interest.
Mr. Hatfield
supporting
Also known as Hatfield, Maister Hatfield
The pompous, self-important rector who pursues Rosalie.
Mary Ann
supporting
Also known as Mary, Mary Ann, Miss Mary Ann
Agnes's elder sister, a supportive and sensible confidante.
Mr. Bloomfield
supporting
Also known as Mr. Bloomfield, Master Tom Bloomfield, Tom, Master Tom, Master Bloomfield
Agnes's first employer, a harsh and neglectful father.
Nancy Brown
supporting
Also known as Brown, Nancy Brown, Nancy, poor Nancy Brown, old Nancy
A poor, pious cottager who becomes a friend to Agnes.
Lady Ashby
minor
Also known as Lady Ashby of Ashby Park, Lady Ashby, old Lady Ashby
Rosalie's mother-in-law, a proud and domineering aristocrat.
Mrs. Bloomfield
minor
Also known as Mrs. Bloomfield, The senior Mrs. Bloomfield, old Mrs. Bloomfield
The weak, ineffectual mother of the Bloomfield children.
Thomas Ashby
supporting
Also known as Thomas Ashby, Sir Thomas, Sir Thomas Ashby, Sir, that odious Sir Thomas, Thomas
Rosalie's wealthy but dissolute husband.
Charles
minor
Also known as Charles, Master Charles
One of the Bloomfield children, a spoiled and troublesome boy.
Mr. Robson
minor
Also known as Mr. Robson, uncle Robson, Robson
The coarse, drunken uncle of the Bloomfield children.
Fanny
minor
Also known as Fanny, little Fanny
A young servant at the Murray household.
Mr. Murray
minor
Also known as Mr. Murray, Mrs. Murray, alias Master Murray, Mr. and Mrs. Murray, Master Murray
The squire of Horton Lodge, father of Rosalie and Matilda.
Mark Wood
minor
Also known as Mark Wood, Poor Mark
A poor, sickly cottager visited by Agnes and Weston.
Richard Grey
minor
Also known as Richard Grey, Grey, Richard
Agnes's father, a poor clergyman who loses his fortune.
Mr. Green
minor
Also known as young Mr. Green, Green, Mr. Green
A wealthy young gentleman courted by Rosalie.
The Misses Green
minor
Also known as Misses Green, the two Misses Green
Two sisters, acquaintances of the Murray family.
Mrs. Grey
minor
Also known as Mrs. Grey
Agnes's loving and sensible mother.
Betty Holmes
minor
Also known as Betty, old Betty Holmes
An old servant at the Grey parsonage.
Mr. Richardson
minor
Also known as Mr. Richardson, Richardson
A clergyman who assists Agnes in finding a teaching position.
Snap
minor
Also known as poor Snap, Snap
The Bloomfield family's abused dog.
Henry Meltham
minor
Also known as Henry Meltham, Harry Meltham
A young gentleman who flirts with Rosalie.
Hannah Rogers
minor
Also known as Hannah Rogers
A cottager who helps nurse Mark Wood.
Thomas Jackson
minor
Also known as Thomas Jackson
A poor laborer and cottager.
Sir Hugh Meltham
minor
Also known as Hugh Meltham, Sir Hugh, Sir Hugh Meltham
A local baronet and father of Henry Meltham.
Lord F—
minor
Also known as Lord F⸺, F⸺
A nobleman mentioned as a potential suitor for Rosalie.
Miss Bloomfield
minor
Also known as Miss Bloomfield
The eldest Bloomfield daughter, a quiet child.
Lady Meltham
minor
Also known as Lady Meltham, young Meltham
Mother of Henry Meltham, a local aristocrat.
