Character guide

Evelina Anville

major

Also known as Evelina, Miss Anville, Anville, Evelina Belmont, Evelina Berry Hill

A young woman of unknown parentage, raised in seclusion, who enters London society and navigates love and identity.

Lord Orville

major

Also known as Orville, noble Lord Orville, Lord Orville—the happy Orville

A nobleman of impeccable manners who becomes Evelina's love interest and protector.

Madame Duval

major

Also known as Duval, Madame, poor Madame Duval

Evelina's coarse and manipulative French grandmother who seeks control over her future.

Sir Clement Willoughby

major

Also known as Willoughby, Clement, Clement Willoughby, Sir Clement

A persistent and unscrupulous suitor who pursues Evelina with unwanted advances.

Captain Mirvan

supporting

Also known as the Captain, Captain, Mirvan, Captain Mirvan

A gruff, practical sailor who delights in mocking Madame Duval and fashionable society.

Mrs. Selwyn

supporting

Also known as the sarcastic Mrs. Selwyn, Mrs. ¬ÝSelwyn

A sharp-witted, independent older woman who chaperones Evelina in Bristol.

Mrs. Mirvan

supporting

Also known as Mrs. and Miss Mirvan, poor Mrs. Mirvan, the amiable Mrs. Mirvan

A kind, gentle woman who hosts Evelina in London and acts as a maternal figure.

Miss Mirvan

supporting

Also known as Maria, Moll, Miss Mirvan, Poor Miss Mirvan

Evelina's close friend and confidante, the daughter of Captain and Mrs. Mirvan.

Rev. Mr. Villars

major

Also known as the Rev. Mr. Villars, Mr. Villars, Arthur Villars, O Villars

Evelina's beloved guardian and surrogate father, a country clergyman of great virtue.

Lady Howard

supporting

Also known as Lady Howard Berry Hill, Lady Howard Paris

A noblewoman and friend of the Mirvans who facilitates Evelina's introduction to society.

Sir John Belmont

supporting

Also known as Sir John, John Belmont, Belmont

Evelina's estranged father who initially refuses to acknowledge her as his daughter.

M. Du Bois

minor

Also known as Du Bois, Monsieur Du Bois, poor M. Du Bois

A Frenchman traveling with Madame Duval, secretly in love with her.

Mr. Branghton

minor

Also known as young Mr. Branghton, young Branghton

A vulgar London tradesman and Madame Duval's nephew, part of her low-class relations.

Miss Polly Branghton

minor

Also known as Polly, Miss Polly Branghton, Miss Polly, Poll

A flirtatious and silly cousin of Evelina, one of the Branghton daughters.

Mr. Smith

minor

Also known as Yesterday Mr. Smith

A young man lodging with the Branghtons who shows interest in Evelina.

Mr. Lovel

minor

Also known as Lovel, this Mr. Lovel, Poor Mr. Lovel

A foppish, affected gentleman who is publicly humiliated by Captain Mirvan.

Lady Louisa Larpent

minor

Also known as Larpent, Lady Louisa, Louisa

Lord Orville's proud and haughty sister who initially snubs Evelina.

Mr. Macartney

minor

Also known as poor Mr. Macartney, the unhappy Mr. Macartney

A melancholy Scottish poet who lodges near the Branghtons and befriends Evelina.

Lord Merton

minor

Also known as the incorrigible Lord Merton, Merton

A dissolute nobleman who pursues a bet with Mr. Coverley and later marries Lady Louisa.

Mrs. Beaumont

minor

Also known as Mrs.  Beaumont

A fashionable hostess in Bristol who entertains the nobility.

Mr. Coverley

minor

Also known as Coverley, the witty Mr. Coverley, Jack Coverley

A young rake who engages in a drunken bet with Lord Merton.

Lady Belmont

minor

Also known as the late Lady Belmont, the unfortunate Lady Belmont

Evelina's deceased mother, secretly married to Sir John Belmont.

Caroline Evelyn

minor

Also known as Miss Evelyn, Caroline, Evelina

Evelina's mother, who died shortly after her birth, leaving her in Mr. Villars' care.

Mr. Brown

minor

Also known as Brown, young Brown, the simple Mr. Brown

A simple young man who works for the Branghtons and is smitten with Miss Polly.

Mrs. Clinton

minor

Also known as the worthy Mrs. Clinton, the good Mrs. Clinton

A loyal servant of the Belmont household who helps reveal Evelina's identity.

Dame Green

minor

A local woman in Berry Hill who assists Mr. Villars with household matters.

Miss Belmont

minor

Also known as The Miss Belmont

An imposter raised as Sir John Belmont's daughter, later revealed to be a fraud.

Biddy

minor

Also known as Miss Biddy

A young woman in the Branghton circle, possibly a servant or acquaintance.

Tom

minor

A servant or young man mentioned in passing in the Branghton household.

Monsieur Du Bois

minor

Also known as Monseer, Monseer Slippery, poor Monseer Doleful

A Frenchman traveling with Madame Duval, often mocked by Captain Mirvan.

Mr. Garrick

minor

Also known as The celebrated Mr. Garrick

The famous actor, briefly mentioned as a performer Evelina sees at the theater.

Justice Fielding

minor

Also known as Fielding

A magistrate briefly consulted regarding a legal matter involving Evelina.