# Cranford — Character guide

> Key figures in Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell.

- [Miss Matty Jenkyns](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/miss_mattie.md): A gentle, kind-hearted spinster who is the central figure of Cranford society.
- [Mary Smith](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/narrator.md): The observant narrator and friend who chronicles the lives of Cranford's ladies.
- [Miss Pole](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/miss_pole.md): A sharp, inquisitive spinster who loves gossip and intellectual debate.
- [Miss Deborah Jenkyns](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/miss_jenkyns.md): The stern, domineering elder sister of Miss Matty who dies early in the story.
- [Mrs. Jamieson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mrs_jamieson.md): A haughty, apathetic widow who is the social arbiter of Cranford.
- [Captain Brown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/captain_brown.md): A kind, literary-minded retired captain who befriends the Cranford ladies.
- [Miss Jessie Brown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/miss_jessie_brown.md): The sweet, devoted younger daughter of Captain Brown.
- [Thomas Holbrook](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/thomas_holbrook.md): An elderly, independent farmer and former suitor of Miss Matty.
- [Mrs. Forrester](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mrs_forrester.md): A kind, gentle widow who is shabbily dressed but generous.
- [Mr. Peter Jenkyns](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mr_peter.md): The long-lost brother of Miss Matty who returns from India.
- [Lady Glenmire](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/lady_glenmire.md): A sensible, down-to-earth widow who marries Mr. Hoggins.
- [Signor Brunoni](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/signor_brunoni.md): A traveling magician whose visit causes a panic in Cranford.
- [Mr. Hoggins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mr_hoggins.md): The local surgeon who marries Lady Glenmire.
- [Miss Betsy Barker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/miss_betsy_barker.md): A former milliner who keeps a cow and is devoted to fashion.
- [Mrs. Fitz-Adam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mrs_fitz_adam.md): A wealthy newcomer who is gradually accepted into Cranford society.
- [Martha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/martha.md): Miss Matty's loyal maid and later married servant.
- [Samuel Brown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/samuel_brown.md): A kind sailor who helps Miss Matty and later marries Jessie.
- [Mary Hoggins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mary_hoggins.md): The pretty daughter of Mr. Hoggins who marries a lord.
- [Lady Arley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/lady_arley.md): The local aristocrat who employs Miss Matty as a shop assistant.
- [Mrs. Gordon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mrs_gordon.md): The mother of Flora Gordon and friend of the Browns.
- [Flora Gordon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/flora_gordon.md): A sweet little girl who befriends Jessie Brown.
- [Phoebe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/phoebe.md): A poor orphan girl taken in by Miss Matty.
- [Mr. Hayter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mr_hayter.md): A farmer who is a suitor of Miss Matty in her youth.
- [Mrs. Hoggins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mrs_hoggins.md): The first wife of Mr. Hoggins, who dies before the story.
- [Mrs. Roberts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/mrs_roberts.md): A kind Cranford resident who helps Miss Matty.
- [Fanny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters/fanny.md): A young girl mentioned in Cranford society.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cranford_se/characters