Character guide

Black Beauty

major

Also known as Beauty, Black Auster, Auster, Darkie

The narrator and protagonist, a handsome black horse who experiences various owners and hardships.

Ginger

major

Also known as VII Ginger, VIII Ginger, dear old Ginger, poor Ginger, XL Poor Ginger

A spirited chestnut mare who becomes Beauty's friend at Birtwick Park and later suffers cruelly.

Merrylegs

supporting

Also known as IX Merrylegs Mr. Blomefield, poor Merrylegs, Mr. Blomefield

A cheerful, clever pony who serves children at Birtwick Park and later goes to the Blomefields.

John Manly

major

Also known as John, Manly, Mr. Manly

The kind, wise head coachman at Birtwick Park who cares deeply for the horses.

James Howard

supporting

Also known as James, Jim, XIV James Howard

A young stable boy at Birtwick Park who later becomes a coachman.

Joe Green

supporting

Also known as Little Joe Green, Joseph, Joe, Poor Joe, XX Joe Green Joe Green, Green

A young stable boy who replaces James and makes a serious mistake with Beauty's care.

Jeremiah Barker

major

Also known as Jerry, Jerry Barker, Barker, Mr. Barker

A kind, principled London cab driver who treats his horses with great respect.

Polly Barker

supporting

Also known as Polly, Mary

Jerry's loving and hardworking wife who helps run the household.

Squire Gordon

supporting

Also known as young Gordon, Mrs. Gordon

Beauty's first good master at Birtwick Park, who sells him due to illness.

Mr. York

supporting

Also known as York

The stern but fair coachman at Earlshall Park who tries to manage the ladies' whims.

Lady Anne

supporting

Also known as The Lady Anne, the Lady Anne, Annie, dear Annie

A spirited young woman at Earlshall Park who rides Beauty in a dangerous runaway.

Reuben Smith

supporting

Also known as Reuben, Smith

A skilled but alcoholic coachman at Earlshall Park whose drinking leads to tragedy.

Harry Barker

minor

Also known as Harry

Jerry and Polly's son, who helps with the cab and learns his father's values.

Dolly Barker

minor

Also known as Dolly, little Dolly

Jerry and Polly's young daughter, who loves the horses and her family.

Sir Oliver

minor

Also known as old Sir Oliver

An old horse at Birtwick Park who tells Beauty about the cruelty of docking tails.

Hotspur

minor

A high-spirited horse at Earlshall Park who is paired with Beauty.

Peggy

minor

Also known as Poor Peggy

A cab horse with a peculiar trot who works alongside Beauty in London.

Captain

minor

Also known as XLIV Old Captain, poor Captain, a Captain Langley, Langley, old Captain

An old war horse who shares his tragic story with Beauty in the cab stables.

Seedy Sam

minor

Also known as Samson, Sam, poor Seedy Sam

A poor, overworked cab horse owner who dies from exhaustion and cruelty.

Jakes

minor

Also known as IV XLVI Jakes

A carter who overloads Beauty and uses a bearing rein cruelly.

Mr. Thoroughgood

supporting

A kind farmer who rescues Beauty from his worst condition and restores him.

Willie Thoroughgood

minor

Also known as Willie

Farmer Thoroughgood's grandson who helps nurse Beauty back to health.

Colonel Blantyre

minor

Also known as Blantyre

A gentleman who rides Beauty during the Lady Anne runaway incident.

Lord W⸺

minor

Also known as the Lord W⸺, W⸺

The wealthy owner of Earlshall Park who buys Beauty from Squire Gordon.

Alfred Smirk

minor

Also known as Alfred

A vain, cruel groom at Earlshall who mistreats the horses.

Max

minor

Also known as Old Max

An old horse at the Gordon farm who gives Beauty advice about breaking in.

Bill Starkey

minor

Also known as Bill, Willie

A cruel boy who torments horses and later becomes a cab driver.

Dick Towler

minor

Also known as Dick, Towler

A boy who throws stones at horses and is punished by Squire Gordon.

Thomas Green

minor

Also known as Thomas, Tom Green, Tom

A groom at Birtwick Park who helps care for the horses.

Mr. Barry

minor

Also known as Barry

A gentleman who briefly owns Beauty but is cheated by dishonest grooms.

Nicholas Skinner

minor

Also known as old Colin, Skinner

A cruel London cab owner who works his horses to death.

Lizzie

minor

Also known as Betsy

A nervous mare at Earlshall Park who bolts with Lady Anne.

Miss Ellen

minor

Also known as Nelly

A kind young woman who rides Beauty at Birtwick Park.

Miss Jessie

minor

A young woman who rides Beauty at Birtwick Park.

Miss Flora

minor

Also known as Flora

A young woman who rides Beauty at Birtwick Park.

Dr. White

minor

The veterinarian who treats Beauty and other horses.

Mrs. Briggs

minor

A lady who hires Jerry's cab and appreciates his kindness to horses.

Mr. Briggs

minor

Mrs. Briggs' husband, who also hires Jerry's cab.

Sir Clifford Williams

minor

A gentleman who hires Beauty for hunting at Earlshall Park.

Lord George

minor

A young nobleman who rides Beauty roughly during a hunt.

Mr. Grant

minor

Also known as Grant, Governor Grant

A horse dealer who sells Beauty to various owners.

Jack

minor

Also known as Poor old Jack

An old horse at the Gordon farm who is retired to pasture.

Dinah Brown

minor

Also known as Dinah

A servant in the Barker household who helps with the children.

Rory

minor

A cab horse who works alongside Beauty in London.

Robert

minor

A groom at Birtwick Park who helps with the horses.

Mr. Smith

minor

Also known as Smith

A horse dealer who sells Beauty to Mr. Barry.

Mr. B

minor

A gentleman who hires Beauty for hunting and rides him hard.

Old Norman

minor

Also known as Norman

An old horse at the Gordon farm who teaches Beauty about farm life.

Mr. Clay

minor

A farrier who shoes horses and gives advice on their care.

Wright

minor

A groom at Earlshall Park who helps care for the horses.

Mr. Bond

minor

A horse dealer who buys Beauty from Mr. Barry.

Governor Gray

minor

A horse dealer who sells Beauty to Squire Gordon.

Braydon

minor

A groom at Earlshall Park who is kind to the horses.

Rob Roy

minor

Beauty's half-brother who is killed in a hunting accident.

Justice

minor

A horse at Birtwick Park who is a friend to Beauty.

Liberty

minor

Also known as VI Liberty

A horse at Birtwick Park who enjoys freedom in the field.

Martha Mulwash

minor

A poor woman who hires Jerry's cab and receives his kindness.

Ned

minor

A groom at Earlshall Park who is careless with the horses.

Ladybird

minor

A gentle pony at Birtwick Park ridden by the children.

Skye

minor

A dog belonging to the Barker family.

Susan

minor

A horse at the cab stables who is a friend to Beauty.

Larry

minor

A cab driver who works alongside Jerry in London.