Clarissa · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.
Clarissa Harlowe
major
Also known as Clary, Clarissa, Miss Clarissa Harlowe, Clarissa Harlowe, Miss Harlowe, Clary Harlowe, Clarissa Lovelace
The virtuous and intelligent heroine whose family pressures her into a disastrous marriage.
Robert Lovelace
major
Also known as Mr. Lovelace, Lovelace, Robert Lovelace, R. Lovelace, Squire Lovelace
A charming but libertine rake who pursues Clarissa with obsessive determination.
Anna Howe
major
Also known as Miss Anna Howe, Miss Howe, Howe, Bell, Miss Bell
Clarissa's witty and loyal best friend and confidante.
John Belford
major
Also known as Mr. Belford, Belford, Jack Belford, J. Belford, John Belford
Lovelace's friend and correspondent who becomes Clarissa's advocate.
James Harlowe Jr.
supporting
Also known as Mr. James Harlowe, James, James Harlowe, Brother, Son James
Clarissa's jealous and tyrannical brother who opposes her wishes.
Arabella Harlowe
supporting
Also known as Arabella, Bella, Miss Arabella, Sister Bella, Miss Arabella Harlowe
Clarissa's envious and spiteful older sister.
Mr. Solmes
supporting
Also known as Solmes, Mr. Solmes, Squire Solmes
The wealthy but repulsive suitor the Harlowes force on Clarissa.
Mr. Hickman
supporting
Also known as Hickman, Mr. Hickman, Charles Hickman, honest Hickman
Anna Howe's patient and worthy suitor.
Mrs. Harlowe
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Harlowe, Harlowe, Madam
Clarissa's mother, torn between love for her daughter and family duty.
Mr. John Harlowe
supporting
Also known as Mr. John Harlowe, uncle John, John Harlowe
Clarissa's kind but ineffectual uncle.
Antony Harlowe
supporting
Also known as Antony Harlowe, Mr. Antony Harlowe, Tony, uncle Antony
Clarissa's coarse and greedy uncle.
Colonel Morden
supporting
Also known as Colonel Morden, Morden, Colonel, William Morden, Col. Morden
Clarissa's beloved cousin and eventual avenger.
Mrs. Norton
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Judith Norton, Norton, Judith Norton, Mamma Norton
Clarissa's former nurse and loyal friend.
Dorcas Wykes
supporting
Also known as Dorcas, Dorcas Wykes, Dorcas Martindale
A servant in Mrs. Sinclair's brothel who spies on Clarissa.
Mrs. Sinclair
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Sinclair, Sinclair, mother Sinclair, widow Sinclair
The cruel brothel-keeper who aids Lovelace's schemes.
Sally Martin
supporting
Also known as Sally Martin, Sarah Martin, Sally, Martin
A prostitute in Mrs. Sinclair's house who torments Clarissa.
Polly Horton
supporting
Also known as Polly Horton, Mary Horton, Polly
Another prostitute in Mrs. Sinclair's establishment.
Lady Betty Lawrance
supporting
Also known as Lady Betty Lawrance, Lady Betty, Betty
Lovelace's aunt who is impersonated in his schemes.
Lady Sarah Sadleir
supporting
Also known as Lady Sarah Sadleir, Lady Sarah, Sarah Sadleir
Lovelace's other aunt, also impersonated.
Lord M.
supporting
Also known as Lord M., Lord M, poor Lord M.
Lovelace's elderly and indulgent uncle.
Miss Charlotte Montague
supporting
Also known as Miss Charlotte Montague, Charlotte Montague, Charlotte, Miss Montague
Lovelace's cousin, a young lady of virtue.
Miss Patty Montague
supporting
Also known as Miss Patty Montague, Patty, Martha Montague, Miss Martha Montague
Lovelace's other cousin.
Mrs. Lovick
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Lovick, widow Lovick, Lovick
The kind widow who shelters Clarissa in her final days.
Mrs. Smith
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Smith, Smith, dame Smith
Clarissa's landlady who becomes a devoted friend.
Captain Tomlinson
supporting
Also known as Captain Tomlinson, Tomlinson, Captain, Antony Tomlinson
A man hired by Lovelace to impersonate a friend of Clarissa's uncle.
Joseph Leman
supporting
Also known as Joseph Leman, Joseph, honest Joseph
A servant in the Harlowe household who spies for Lovelace.
Betty Barnes
supporting
Also known as Betty Barnes, Betty, Elizabeth, Barnes
An insolent servant in the Harlowe household.
Hannah Burton
supporting
Also known as Hannah, Hanna, Hannah Burton
Clarissa's faithful maid who is dismissed by the family.
Will
minor
Also known as Will, Wilson, fellow Will
A servant who assists Lovelace's plots.
Mrs. Moore
minor
Also known as Mrs. Moore, goody Moore, widow Moore, Moore
A widow who shelters Clarissa after her escape.
Miss Rawlins
minor
Also known as Miss Rawlins, Poor Miss Rawlins
A young lady at Mrs. Moore's boarding house.
Thomas Belton
minor
Also known as Thomas Belton, Belton, Tom, poor Belton
A dissolute friend of Lovelace who dies repentant.
Richard Mowbray
minor
Also known as Richard Mowbray, Mowbray, Rd. Mowbray
A brutal friend of Lovelace.
James Tourville
minor
Also known as Tourville, Mr. Tourville, James Tourville, Jack Tourville
A prating friend of Lovelace.
Mrs. Howe
minor
Also known as Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Annabella Howe, Annabella
Anna Howe's mother.
Dolly Hervey
minor
Also known as Dolly Hervey, Miss Hervey, Miss Dolly Hervey, Hervey
A young cousin of the Harlowes.
Mrs. Judith Norton
minor
Also known as Mrs. Judith Norton, Judith Norton, Mrs. Norton
Clarissa's former nurse and faithful correspondent.
Dr. Lewen
minor
Also known as Dr. Lewen, Lewen, Arthur Lewen, the good Dr. Lewen
A clergyman who tries to counsel Clarissa.
Mr. Brand
minor
Also known as Mr. Brand, Brand, Elias Brand
A pedantic clergyman who writes against Clarissa.
Mrs. Bevis
minor
Also known as Mrs. Bevis, Bevis, widow Bevis
A widow who assists Clarissa.
Mrs. Townsend
minor
Also known as Mrs. Townsend, Townsend
A woman who helps Clarissa in her escape.
Miss Partington
minor
Also known as Miss Partington, Partington, Priscilla Partington
A flippant young lady at Mrs. Moore's.
Mr. Mennell
minor
Also known as Mr. Mennell, Mennell, Captain Mennell
A captain who assists Lovelace.
Mr. Wyerley
minor
Also known as Mr. Wyerley, Wyerley, Alexander Wyerley
A former suitor of Clarissa.
Captain Singleton
minor
Also known as Singleton, Captain Singleton
A sea captain and acquaintance of Lovelace.
Mrs. Fretchville
minor
Also known as Mrs. Fretchville, poor Mrs. Fretchville
A widow whose house Lovelace pretends to procure for Clarissa.
Mrs. Greme
minor
Also known as Mrs. Greme, Greme
A housekeeper at Lord M.'s estate.
Mr. Goddard
minor
Also known as Mr. Goddard
An apothecary who attends Clarissa.
Simon Collins
minor
Also known as Simon Collins, Collins, honest Collins
A servant of the Harlowe family.
Mrs. Sorlings
minor
Also known as Mrs. Sorlings, Sorlings, widow Sorlings
A widow who shelters Clarissa in Hampstead.
Miss Lardner
minor
Also known as Miss Lardner
A young lady acquaintance of Clarissa.
Mr. Doleman
minor
Also known as Mr. Doleman, Doleman, Tom Doleman, honest Doleman
An acquaintance of Lovelace who provides lodging.
Mrs. Fortescue
minor
Also known as Mrs. Fortescue
A lady of Lovelace's acquaintance.
Miss Lloyd
minor
Also known as Miss Lloyd, Miss Biddy Lloyd, Biddy
A friend of Anna Howe.
Miss Biddulph
minor
Also known as Miss Biddulph, Biddulph, Miss Rachel Biddulph
A friend of Anna Howe.
Mr. Symmes
minor
Also known as Mr. Symmes, Mr. Edward Symmes
A clergyman who visits Clarissa.
Mr. Osgood
minor
Also known as Mr. Osgood, Osgood
A friend of the Harlowe family.
Mr. Hervey
minor
Also known as Mr. Hervey
A relative of the Harlowes.
Mrs. Harriot Lucas
minor
Also known as Mrs. Harriot Lucas, Mrs. Harry Lucas
A lady acquaintance of the Harlowes.
Mrs. Hodges
minor
Also known as Mrs. Hodges
A housekeeper at Harlowe Place.
Mr. Tomkins
minor
Also known as Mr. Tomkins, Tomkins
A servant of the Harlowe family.
Mrs. Mary Atkins
minor
Also known as Mrs. Mary Atkins, Polly, the vile Polly
A prostitute in Mrs. Sinclair's house.
Miss Sally Anderson
minor
Also known as Miss Sally Anderson, Anderson
A young woman of questionable reputation.
Miss Playford
minor
Also known as Miss Playford
A young lady acquaintance.
Mr. Walton
minor
Also known as Mr. Walton, Dear Mr. Walton
A clergyman who attends Clarissa.
Sir Harry Downeton
minor
Also known as Sir Harry Downeton, Sir Harry, Hal
A baronet and acquaintance of Lovelace.
Colonel Ambrose
minor
Also known as Colonel Ambrose
A military man and friend of the Harlowes.
Mr. Rowe
minor
Also known as Mr. Rowe, Rowe
A friend of the family.
Miss Martin
minor
Also known as Miss Martin
A prostitute in Mrs. Sinclair's house.
Mrs. Leeson
minor
Also known as Mrs. Leeson, Leeson
A woman who keeps a house of ill repute.
Mrs. Rowland
minor
Also known as Mrs. Rowland, Rowland
A woman who keeps a sponging-house.
Mr. Mullins
minor
Also known as Mr. Mullins, Mullins
A lawyer consulted by the Harlowes.
Mr. Pomfret
minor
Also known as Mr. Pomfret
A clergyman who visits Clarissa.
Mr. Spurrier
minor
Also known as Mr. Spurrier
An attorney involved in Clarissa's affairs.
Mrs. Knolly
minor
Also known as Mrs. Knolly, the Knolly
A servant in Mrs. Sinclair's house.
Mrs. Rachel Clark
minor
Also known as Mrs. Rachel Clark, Rachel Clark
A woman who assists Clarissa.
Mr. Hartley
minor
Also known as Mr. Hartley
A friend of the Harlowe family.
Mrs. Hickman
minor
Also known as Mrs. Hickman
Mr. Hickman's mother.
