# John Brown’s Body — Character guide

> Key figures in John Brown’s Body by Stephen Vincent Benét.

- [Jack Ellyat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/jack_ellyat.md): A young Union soldier whose personal journey is a central thread of the narrative.
- [John Brown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/john_brown.md): The radical abolitionist whose raid on Harpers Ferry and execution frame the epic.
- [Spade](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/spade.md): An African American character, possibly a servant or laborer, with recurring presence.
- [Melora Vilas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/melora_vilas.md): A young woman from the North, involved in a romantic subplot with Jack Ellyat.
- [Luke Breckinridge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/luke_breckinridge.md): A Confederate soldier or scout, appearing in the Southern narrative threads.
- [Lucy Weatherby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/weatherby.md): A Southern belle, likely connected to the Wingate family and social circles.
- [Sally Dupré](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/sally_dupre.md): A spirited Southern woman, possibly a love interest or family friend.
- [Shippy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/shippy.md): A minor character, possibly a soldier or local, known for reckless behavior.
- [Clay Wingate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/clay_wingate.md): A young Southern aristocrat and soldier, central to the Wingate family storyline.
- [Phil Ferrier](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/phil_ferrier.md): A Union soldier or officer, part of the Northern military narrative.
- [Ned](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/ned.md): An elderly Southern fire-eater and secessionist, appears in historical scenes.
- [Jake Diefer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/jake_diefer.md): A German-American soldier or immigrant character in the Union ranks.
- [Sophy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/sophy.md): An enslaved or free Black woman, possibly connected to the Wingate household.
- [Mollie Wingate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/mollie_wingate.md): A member of the Wingate family, likely Clay's sister or relative.
- [Cudjo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/cudjo.md): An enslaved Black man on the Wingate plantation, appears in domestic scenes.
- [Zachary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/zachary.md): An older Black man, possibly a former slave or servant.
- [Curly Hatton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/curly_hatton.md): A young man from the South, possibly a soldier or suitor.
- [Mr. Bristol](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/mr_bristol.md): A Northern businessman or politician, appears in civilian contexts.
- [Elspeth Mackay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/elspeth_mackay.md): A Scottish-descended woman, possibly a love interest or family figure.
- [Patrick Higgins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/patrick_higgins.md): An Irish-American soldier in the Union army.
- [Old Mistis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/old_mistis.md): The elderly mistress of the Wingate plantation.
- [Jim Merrihew](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/jim_merrihew.md): A Union soldier, comrade of Jack Ellyat.
- [Miss Harriet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/miss_harriet.md): A Northern woman, possibly a teacher or abolitionist.
- [John Vilas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/john_vilas.md): Melora's father or relative, a Northern farmer or tradesman.
- [Huger Shepley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/huger_shepley.md): A Southern gentleman or officer, part of the aristocratic circle.
- [Aunt Bess](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/aunt_bess.md): An enslaved cook or domestic worker on the Wingate plantation.
- [John Wingate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/john_wingate.md): The patriarch of the Wingate family, a Southern planter.
- [Watson Brown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/watson_brown.md): One of John Brown's sons, killed at Harpers Ferry.
- [Mr. Brua](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/mr_brua.md): A mysterious figure, possibly a spy or agent, appears briefly.
- [Will](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/will.md): An older enslaved man on the Wingate plantation.
- [Mr. Clarke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/mr_clarke.md): A Northern officer or official, appears in military contexts.
- [Nancy Huguenot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/nancy_huguenot.md): A Southern woman, possibly a friend of the Wingate family.
- [Harry Spode](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/harry_spode.md): A minor character, possibly a soldier or civilian.
- [Young Marse Clay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/young_marse_clay.md): Clay Wingate as a young master, addressed by enslaved characters.
- [Shepherd Heyward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/shepherd_heyward.md): A Southern officer or gentleman, part of the military narrative.
- [Miss Amanda](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/miss_amanda.md): A Northern woman, possibly a relative or friend of the Vilas family.
- [Howard Brooke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/howard_brooke.md): A Union officer, appears in battle scenes.
- [Old Judge Brooke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/old_judge_brooke.md): An elderly Northern judge or civic figure.
- [Mr. Pollet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/pollet.md): A minor character, possibly a shopkeeper or civilian.
- [Mother Bickerdyke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/mother_bickerdyke.md): A historical Union nurse, appears briefly in hospital scenes.
- [Ellen Baker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/ellen_baker.md): A Northern woman, possibly a love interest or family member.
- [Uncle Paul](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/uncle_paul.md): An elderly enslaved man on the Wingate plantation.
- [Mr. Wingate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/mr_wingate.md): John Wingate, the patriarch of the Wingate family.
- [Jim Wheeler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/jim_wheeler.md): A minor character, possibly a soldier or laborer.
- [French Dupré](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/french_dupre.md): A Southern man, possibly Sally's father or relative.
- [Miss Louisa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/miss_louisa.md): A Southern woman, possibly a friend of the Wingate family.
- [Sue Appleton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/sue_appleton.md): A Northern woman, appears in civilian contexts.
- [Mrs. Spade](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/mrs_spade.md): Spade's wife, appears briefly in domestic scenes.
- [Billy Herndon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/billy_herndon.md): A minor character, possibly a soldier or local figure.
- [Mr. Braid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/mr_braid.md): A minor character, possibly a tradesman or officer.
- [Massa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/john_brown_s_body_se/characters/massa.md): Generic term used by enslaved characters for their master.

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