Magnificent Obsession · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd C. Douglas.
Bobby Merrick
major
Also known as Bobby, young Merrick, Merrick, Robert Merrick, Doctor Merrick
A young doctor who becomes the central character, navigating love and personal transformation.
Helen Hudson
major
Also known as young Mrs. Hudson, Helen, Mrs. Hudson, Helen Hudson, Joyce
The widow of Doctor Hudson, who becomes a key romantic interest for Bobby Merrick.
Doctor Wayne Hudson
supporting
Also known as Doctor Hudson, Hudson, Wayne Hudson, the late Doctor Hudson
A brilliant surgeon whose death sets the plot in motion.
Nancy Ashford
supporting
Also known as Nancy, Nancy Ashford
A friend and confidante to Helen, involved in the social circle.
Montgomery Brent
supporting
Also known as Montgomery, Monty, Brent, Mr. Brent
A charming and roguish friend of Bobby, often causing trouble.
Tom Masterson
supporting
Also known as Tom, Masterson, Tommy, young Masterson, old Tommy
A loyal friend and colleague of Bobby Merrick.
Doctor Pyle
supporting
Also known as Pyle, Dr. Malcolm Pyle, Mac
A senior doctor and mentor figure at the hospital.
Marion Dawson
supporting
Also known as Dawson, Marion, Marion Dawson
A nurse and love interest for Bobby early in the story.
Julie Craig
minor
Also known as Julie, Julie Craig, Miss Craig
A young woman who becomes involved with Bobby's circle.
Nicholas Merrick
supporting
Also known as old Nick Merrick, Nicholas J. Merrick, old Nicholas, Nicholas
Bobby's wealthy and disapproving father.
Clive Randolph
supporting
Also known as Randolph, Clive Randolph
A rival for Helen's affections and a man of means.
Maxine Merrick
minor
Also known as Mrs. Maxine Merrick, Maxine
Bobby's mother, a socialite concerned with family reputation.
Doctor McLaren
minor
Also known as McLaren, the Rev. Bruce McLaren
A doctor and clergyman who offers guidance.
Doctor Ardmore
minor
Also known as Ardmore, Doctor Ardmore
A specialist consulted on difficult medical cases.
Doctor Donelli
minor
Also known as Donelli, Doctor Donelli
An Italian doctor who assists in a critical surgery.
Betty McLaren
minor
Also known as Betty, Betty McLaren
The daughter of Doctor McLaren, a spirited young woman.
Clif Merrick
minor
Also known as Clif, Clif Merrick
A cousin of Bobby, involved in family business.
Jack Dawson
minor
Also known as Jack Dawson, little Jack
Marion's younger brother, a mischievous boy.
Perry Ruggles
minor
Also known as Perry, Ruggles, old Perry
An old friend of the Merrick family, a bit of a gossip.
Martha
minor
Also known as Martha, Pat
A servant in the Hudson household.
McDermott
minor
Also known as McDermott, the perspiring McDermott
A lawyer handling the Merrick estate.
Doctor Cummings
minor
Also known as Cummings, This Doctor Cummings, Doctor Cummings
A colleague of Bobby at the hospital.
Laura Byrne
minor
Also known as Laura Byrne
A patient of Bobby's with a mysterious past.
Joe Anderson
minor
Also known as Joe Anderson, Joe
A handyman at the Merrick estate.
Doctor Herman Bliss
minor
Also known as Doctor Herman Bliss, Doctor Bliss, Bliss
A pompous physician who clashes with Bobby.
Gordon
minor
Also known as Gordon
A friend of Montgomery Brent's from the city.
Doctor Carter
minor
Also known as Carter, Doctor Carter
A young intern at the hospital.
Meggs
minor
Also known as Meggs
The Merrick family butler.
Dr. Emil Arnstadt
minor
Also known as Dr. Emil Arnstadt, Arnstadt
A European specialist in nerve regeneration.
Dean Whitley
minor
Also known as Whitley, Dean Whitley
The dean of the medical school Bobby attends.
Polly
minor
Also known as Polly, little Maria, Maria
A young girl Bobby treats for a serious illness.
Mrs. Wickes
minor
Also known as Mrs. Wickes
A neighbor of the Hudsons, a gossip.
Richard
minor
Also known as Richard
A young man who courts Nancy Ashford briefly.
Mrs. Sealback
minor
Also known as Mrs. Sealback
A wealthy patient of Doctor Hudson's.
Aldrich
minor
Also known as Aldrich
A lawyer representing the Hudson estate.
Ned Brownlow
minor
Also known as Ned Brownlow, Ned, Teddy
A childhood friend of Bobby's from the old neighborhood.
Professor Garland
minor
Also known as Professor Garland, Garland
A professor of philosophy at the university.
Clarence
minor
Also known as Clarence
A waiter at the country club.
Jed Turner
minor
Also known as old Jed Turner, Jed
An old fisherman who helps Bobby on a trip.
Patricia Livingstone
minor
Also known as Patricia Livingstone, Patricia
A socialite friend of Maxine Merrick.
Mrs. Ashford
minor
Also known as Mrs. Ashford
Nancy Ashford's mother, a society matron.
Mrs. Bliss
minor
Also known as Mrs. Bliss
Doctor Bliss's wife, a nervous woman.
Faraday
minor
Also known as Faraday
A scientist whose work inspires Bobby's research.
