Character guide

Lucien Chardon

major

Also known as Lucien de Rubempré, M. Chardon, Rubempré

A young poet from Angoulême who seeks fame in Paris, torn between ambition and love.

David Séchard

major

Also known as David, Séchard, Davy

Lucien's devoted friend and brother-in-law, a printer and inventor struggling with financial ruin.

Eve Séchard

major

Also known as Eve Chardon, Eve, Madame Eve

Lucien's sister and David's wife, a steadfast and practical woman who supports her family.

Madame de Bargeton

major

Also known as Louise de Nègrepelisse, Anaïs, Naïs, Marie-Louise-Anaïs de Nègrepelisse

A provincial aristocrat who becomes Lucien's patron and lover, later abandoning him in Paris.

Étienne Lousteau

supporting

Also known as Lousteau, Étienne

A cynical journalist and writer who mentors Lucien in the Parisian literary world.

Coralie

supporting

Also known as Mlle Camusot, Camusot

A beautiful young actress who becomes Lucien's mistress and supports him financially.

Petit-Claud

supporting

Also known as Pierre Petit-Claud, Claud

A cunning lawyer in Angoulême who schemes against David Séchard.

Sixte du Châtelet

supporting

Also known as Châtelet, M. du Châtelet, Baron du Châtelet

A pretentious nobleman and rival of Lucien, later Madame de Bargeton's husband.

Finot

supporting

Also known as M. Finot

A shrewd newspaper editor and publisher who manipulates journalists for profit.

Florine

supporting

Also known as Mademoiselle Florine, Mlle Florine

An actress and Lousteau's mistress, later involved with Lucien's circle.

Dauriat

supporting

Also known as M. Dauriat

A powerful Parisian publisher who rejects Lucien's first novel.

Nathan

supporting

Also known as Raoul Nathan, M. Nathan

A flamboyant Romantic poet and playwright in Parisian literary circles.

Boniface Cointet

supporting

Also known as Cointet, fat Cointet, tall Cointet

A wealthy printer and rival of David Séchard in Angoulême.

Jérôme-Nicolas Séchard

supporting

Also known as old Séchard, Nicolas Séchard, Papa Séchard

David's miserly father, a former printer who hoards his wealth.

Marion

minor

Also known as Big Marion, the portly Marion

The Séchard family's loyal and stout servant.

Kolb

minor

David Séchard's loyal Alsatian assistant and later Eve's helper.

Cérizet

minor

A dishonest apprentice printer who betrays David Séchard.

Barbet

minor

A bookseller and publisher who deals with Lucien in Paris.

Hector Merlin

minor

Also known as Merlin, Young Hector Merlin

A journalist and writer in Lucien's Parisian circle.

Félicien Vernou

minor

Also known as Vernou, Félicien

A jealous journalist and critic who writes against Lucien.

Émile Blondet

minor

Also known as Blondet, M. Blondet

A brilliant but cynical journalist and critic in Paris.

Matifat

minor

Also known as M. Matifat

A wealthy merchant and patron of Florine.

Madame Chardon

minor

Also known as Mme Chardon, Poor Mme Chardon

Lucien and Eve's mother, a former nurse who sacrifices for her children.

Stanislas de Chandour

minor

Also known as Stanislas, de Chandour

A provincial nobleman and gossip in Angoulême society.

Michel Chrestien

minor

Also known as Chrestien, Michel

A republican member of the Cénacle and friend of Lucien.

Joseph Bridau

minor

Also known as Joseph, Bridau

A painter and member of the Cénacle, friend of Lucien.

Daniel d'Arthez

minor

Also known as d'Arthez, Daniel

A serious writer and leader of the Cénacle who befriends Lucien.

Horace Bianchon

minor

Also known as Bianchon, Horace

A medical student and member of the Cénacle, later a famous doctor.

Fulgence Ridal

minor

Also known as Fulgence, Ridal

A playwright and member of the Cénacle.

Léon Giraud

minor

Also known as Giraud, Léon

A philosopher and member of the Cénacle.

Claude Vignon

minor

Also known as Vignon

A severe literary critic in Paris.

Bérénice

minor

Coralie's devoted maid and confidante.

Postel

minor

Also known as M. Postel, honest Postel

An apothecary in L'Houmeau who marries Eve's friend.

Basine Clerget

minor

Also known as Basine, Clerget

A seamstress and friend of Eve in Angoulême.

M. de Bargeton

minor

Also known as old M. de Bargeton

Madame de Bargeton's elderly and dull husband.

Amélie de Chandour

minor

Also known as Amélie, de Chandour

A gossipy provincial noblewoman in Angoulême.

Zéphirine de Senonches

minor

Also known as de Senonches, Senonches

A provincial aristocrat and friend of Madame de Bargeton.

Francis du Hautoy

minor

Also known as M. du Hautoy, Francis

A young man in Angoulême society, Madame de Bargeton's cousin.

Astolphe

minor

A young aristocrat in Parisian society.

Des Lupeaulx

minor

Also known as Lupeaulx

A government official and journalist in Paris.

Giroudeau

minor

Also known as old Giroudeau

A retired army officer and doorkeeper at a newspaper.

Samanon

minor

A sinister second-hand bookseller and moneylender in Paris.

Chaboisseau

minor

Also known as Daddy Chaboisseau

A bookseller and moneylender in Paris.

Doguereau

minor

Also known as old Doguereau, Daddy Doguereau

An old-fashioned publisher who buys Lucien's novel.

Flicoteaux

minor

Also known as honest Flicoteaux

Owner of a cheap restaurant frequented by poor students.

Braulard

minor

Also known as M. Braulard

A leader of the claque at the Paris theaters.

Métivier

minor

Also known as M. Métivier

A Parisian paper merchant who deals with David Séchard.

Doublon

minor

Also known as Victor-Ange-Herménégilde Doublon, Master Doublon

A bailiff who pursues David Séchard for debt.

Cachan

minor

Also known as Maître Cachan

A lawyer who represents the Cointets against David.

Marquis de Rubempré

minor

The deceased nobleman whose name Lucien adopts.

M. de Nègrepelisse

minor

Also known as old M. de Nègrepelisse

Madame de Bargeton's father, a provincial nobleman.

Comte de Senonches

minor

Also known as M. le Comte de Senonches, de Senonches

A provincial nobleman and hunter in Angoulême.

M. de Rastignac

minor

Also known as Rastignac, Eugène de Rastignac

A young Parisian aristocrat briefly mentioned in society.

Laure de Rastignac

minor

Also known as pretty Laure de Rastignac

Eugène de Rastignac's sister, mentioned in passing.

Mademoiselle des Touches

minor

Also known as Camille Maupin, des Touches

A wealthy writer and salonnière in Paris.

Marquise de Pimentel

minor

Also known as la Marquise, de Pimentel

A Parisian aristocrat who hosts a salon.

Comtesse du Châtelet

minor

Also known as Madame du Châtelet, Louise du Châtelet

Madame de Bargeton after marrying du Châtelet.

The Alcalde

minor

Also known as Alcalde

A Spanish magistrate in a story within the book.

Françoise de la Haye

minor

Also known as de la Haye, Françoise

A young woman in Angoulême society.

Henriette Signol

minor

Also known as Henriette, Signol

A young woman from L'Houmeau, later Postel's wife.

Léonie Postel

minor

Also known as Léonie, little Postel

Postel's wife and a friend of Eve.

Madame Postel

minor

Also known as Mme Postel

Postel's mother, who runs the apothecary shop.

Courtois

minor

Also known as Courtois the miller, Mme Courtois

A miller and his wife in Angoulême.

Gannerac

minor

Also known as young Gannerac, M. Gannerac

A carrier and businessman in L'Houmeau.

The Abbé Marron

minor

Also known as Marron, the Abbé

A priest in Angoulême who tutors Lucien.

M. de Saintot

minor

Also known as de Saintot, M. Saintot

A provincial nobleman in Angoulême.

M. de Bartas

minor

Also known as M. du Bartas

A provincial nobleman in Angoulême.

M. de Séverac

minor

Also known as old M. de Séverac

An elderly provincial nobleman.

M. de Cante-Croix

minor

Also known as Cante-Croix

A young officer in Angoulême society.

Milaud

minor

Also known as M. Milaud

A public prosecutor in Angoulême.

Théodore Gaillard

minor

Also known as Gaillard

A newspaper editor in Paris.

Du Bruel

minor

Also known as du Bruel, M. du Bruel

A playwright and journalist in Paris.

Cardot

minor

Also known as old Cardot, M. Cardot

An elderly music teacher and patron in Paris.

Bixiou

minor

A caricaturist and wit in Parisian artistic circles.

Philippe Bridau

minor

Also known as Philippe

Joseph Bridau's brother, a soldier mentioned briefly.

Félix de Vandenesse

minor

Also known as de Vandenesse, Félix

A young diplomat in Parisian society.

De Marsay

minor

Also known as M. de Marsay

A dandy and politician in Parisian high society.

General de Montriveau

minor

Also known as Montriveau, General Montriveau

A military officer in Parisian society.