Character guide

William Wells Brown

major

Also known as W. Wells Brown, Mr. Brown, William, Brown, Wells Brown, Mr. William Wells Brown, Mr. Willis, William W. Brown

Narrator and author who appears as a character, recounting his own escape from slavery.

Clotel

major

Also known as Miss Clotel, poor Clotel, Clotel The

Tragic quadroon heroine, daughter of Thomas Jefferson, sold into slavery and seeking freedom.

Georgiana Carlton

major

Also known as Georgiana, Carlton, Georgy, Miss Georgy

Kind-hearted Southern woman who marries and helps slaves escape.

Horatio Green

supporting

Also known as young Green, Horatio

Northern man who marries Georgiana and becomes an abolitionist.

Sam

supporting

Also known as Mr. Sam, Marser Sam, Marser

Clever slave who aids in escapes and provides comic relief.

Mr. Peck

supporting

Also known as Peck, The Rev. John Peck, John Peck

Hypocritical slaveholding parson who owns Clotel.

Mr. Carlton

supporting

Also known as Carlton, Mrs. Carlton, Mr. and Mrs. Carlton, Miles Carlton, the Parson Carlton

Wealthy slaveholder and father of Georgiana.

Currer

supporting

Clotel's mother, a slave sold away from her daughter.

Mr. Green

supporting

Also known as George Green, little George, George, Mrs. Green, Mary Green, Mary

Slaveholding family; George Green is a young man who reforms.

Henry Morton

supporting

Also known as Morton, Harry, James Morton, Mrs. Morton, Dr. Morton

Kind doctor who marries Althesa and tries to protect her.

Althesa

supporting

Also known as poor Althesa, Poor Althesa, The good and generous Althesa

Clotel's sister, sold into slavery and married to Henry Morton.

Mr. Devenant

supporting

Also known as Devenant, Mrs. Devenant

French planter who buys and mistreats Althesa.

Ned Huckelby

minor

Also known as Huckelby, Ned, Edward

Slave overseer known for cruelty.

Aunt Polly

minor

Also known as Mary

Elderly slave woman who cares for children.

Pompey

minor

Slave who assists in the slave market.

Johnson

minor

Also known as Mr. Johnson, Sally Johnson, Sally

Slave trader who buys and sells Clotel.

Mr. Walker

minor

Also known as Walker, Dick Walker, Dick

Slave catcher who pursues runaways.

Miss Peck

minor

Daughter of Mr. Peck, briefly courted by Horatio.

Gertrude

minor

Also known as Poor Gertrude

Slave woman who suffers under cruel masters.

Salome

minor

Also known as Salome Miller

White woman reduced to slavery through fraud.

Bruin

minor

Also known as bruin

Slave trader who operates in New Orleans.

Old Virginia

minor

Also known as Jane

Elderly slave woman on the Carlton plantation.

Jones

minor

Also known as neighbour Jones, Mr. Jones, the Rev. C. C. Jones

Neighbor and fellow slaveholder who interacts with Mr. Peck.

Mr. Webster

minor

Lawyer who assists in legal matters regarding slaves.

The Judge

minor

Presiding judge in court cases involving slaves.

Mr. Smith

minor

Also known as Smith

Northern man who helps slaves escape via the Underground Railroad.

John Gosling

minor

Also known as Mr. John Gosling, cousin John

Relative of the Carlton family who visits the plantation.

Aaron

minor

Also known as Byron

Slave who attempts to escape with Clotel.

Snyder

minor

Also known as Mr. Snyder, Marser Snyder, Hontz Snyder

Cruel slaveholder who tortures his slaves.

Uncle Simon

minor

Elderly slave on the Green plantation.

Tobias

minor

Also known as Toby, Mr. Tobias

Slave who works as a servant in the Carlton household.

Mr. Boon

minor

Slave catcher who pursues Clotel.

Shakespeare Crawford

minor

Also known as James Crawford, Crawford

Actor who performs in the South and interacts with slaves.

Volney Lapuc

minor

Also known as Volney

French traveler who comments on American slavery.

Jerry

minor

Also known as Jeremiah

Slave who escapes with Sam.

Mrs. Marshall

minor

Woman who shelters runaway slaves.

Dinah

minor

Also known as Miss Dinah

Cook in the Peck household.

Nell

minor

Also known as Ellen

Slave woman who helps Clotel during her escape.

Buddington

minor

Slave trader who buys Clotel at auction.

Captain Price

minor

Also known as Captain Enoch Price, Enoch Price, Mrs. Price

Slave ship captain who transports slaves.

Dogget

minor

Slave catcher who tracks runaways.

Mrs. French

minor

Also known as Mr. James French, Mr. French, Jim

Woman who helps slaves escape via the Underground Railroad.

Freeland

minor

Also known as a Mr. Freeland

Slaveholder who treats his slaves relatively well.

Emperor

minor

Slave who works on the steamboat.

Alexander Hastie

minor

Also known as Sandy

Scottish abolitionist who helps slaves escape.

Mr. Hobbs

minor

Also known as Mr. J. C. Hobbs

Slave trader who buys Clotel.

Peter

minor

Slave who assists in the escape of others.

Agnes

minor

Also known as Miss Agnes

Slave woman on the Green plantation.