Nicholas Nickleby · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.
Nicholas Nickleby
major
Also known as Nicholas, Mr. Nicholas Nickleby, poor Nicholas, Dear Nicholas
The young protagonist who seeks his fortune after his father's death.
Ralph Nickleby
major
Also known as Mr. Ralph Nickleby, young Ralph Nickleby, Master Ralph Nickleby, Ralph Nickleby, Mr. Nickleby
Nicholas's cruel and miserly uncle who opposes him.
Kate Nickleby
major
Also known as Kate, poor Kate, Little Kate Nickleby, little Kate Nickleby
Nicholas's virtuous and beautiful sister.
Mrs. Nickleby
supporting
Also known as poor Mrs. Nickleby
Nicholas and Kate's talkative and somewhat foolish mother.
Newman Noggs
supporting
Also known as Noggs, Mr. Noggs, Mr. Newman Noggs
Ralph Nickleby's clerk and secret ally to Nicholas.
Smike
major
Also known as poor Smike, the astonished Smike, the unfortunate Smike
A mistreated boy at Dotheboys Hall who becomes Nicholas's devoted friend.
Wackford Squeers
supporting
Also known as Mr. Squeers, Squeers, Mr. Wackford Squeers
The cruel and ignorant headmaster of Dotheboys Hall.
Mrs. Squeers
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Squeers, Mr. and Mrs. Squeers
Wackford Squeers's domineering and equally cruel wife.
Fanny Squeers
supporting
Also known as Miss Squeers, Miss Fanny Squeers, Fanny
The Squeers' unattractive and scheming daughter.
John Browdie
supporting
Also known as John, Mr. John Browdie, Mr. Browdie, honest John Browdie
A kind-hearted Yorkshire farmer who befriends Nicholas.
Mrs. Browdie
minor
Also known as Mrs. John Browdie, the blushing Mrs. Browdie
John Browdie's wife, formerly Tilda Price.
Arthur Gride
supporting
Also known as Gride, old Arthur Gride, old Arthur, Arthur
A miserly old moneylender and associate of Ralph Nickleby.
Tim Linkinwater
supporting
Also known as Tim, Mr. Linkinwater, old Tim Linkinwater, Mr. Timothy Linkinwater
The loyal and eccentric clerk at the Cheeryble brothers' counting-house.
Sir Mulberry Hawk
supporting
Also known as Sir Mulberry, Hawk, Mulberry, the detested Sir Mulberry
A dissolute and predatory aristocrat who pursues Kate.
Lord Frederick Verisopht
supporting
Also known as Richard, Lord Frederick, Verisopht, Alfred
A foolish young nobleman influenced by Sir Mulberry Hawk.
Madeline Bray
supporting
Also known as Miss Bray, Madeline, Bray, Miss Madeline, little Madeline
A beautiful and virtuous young woman whom Nicholas loves.
Mr. Mantalini
minor
Also known as Mr. Mantalini, Even Mr. Mantalini, the crestfallen Mr. Mantalini
A foppish and spendthrift husband of Madame Mantalini.
Madame Mantalini
minor
Also known as Madame, Poor Madame Mantalini
A fashionable dressmaker who employs Kate.
Miss La Creevy
supporting
Also known as La Creevy, Little Miss La Creevy, poor little Miss La Creevy
A kindly miniature painter and the Nicklebys' landlady.
Vincent Crummles
supporting
Also known as Mr. Vincent Crummles, Mr. Crummles, Master Crummles, Crummles
The theatrical manager of a traveling acting troupe.
Mrs. Crummles
minor
Also known as Mrs. Vincent Crummles, the absent Mrs. Crummles
Vincent Crummles's wife and a member of his acting troupe.
Miss Snevellicci
minor
Also known as Snevellicci, Poor Miss Snevellicci
An actress in Crummles's troupe who takes a liking to Nicholas.
Frank Cheeryble
supporting
Also known as Mr. Cheeryble, Cheeryble, Mr. Frank Cheeryble, young Cheeryble
The nephew of the Cheeryble brothers and Nicholas's friend.
Charles Cheeryble
supporting
Also known as Mr. Charles, brother Charles, Charles, Mr. Charles Cheeryble
One of the benevolent Cheeryble brothers who employ Nicholas.
Ned Cheeryble
supporting
Also known as Ned, Brother Ned, brother Ned
The other of the benevolent Cheeryble brothers.
Peg Sliderskew
minor
Also known as Peg, the discreet Peg, The unconscious Peg
Arthur Gride's deaf and cunning housekeeper.
Miss Knag
minor
Also known as the kindhearted Miss Knag, Knag, the worthy Miss Knag
A dressmaker at Madame Mantalini's who is jealous of Kate.
Mrs. Wititterly
minor
Also known as Accordingly Mrs. Wititterly
A hypochondriacal society lady who employs Kate as a companion.
Mr. Wititterly
minor
Also known as Mr. Wititterly
Mrs. Wititterly's henpecked husband.
Mrs. Kenwigs
minor
Also known as Kenwigs, poor Mrs. Kenwigs
A neighbor of the Nicklebys in London.
Mr. Kenwigs
minor
Also known as one Mr. Kenwigs, Adopting Mr. Kenwigs
Mrs. Kenwigs's husband.
Morleena Kenwigs
minor
Also known as Morleena, Miss Morleena Kenwigs, Miss Kenwigs
The eldest Kenwigs daughter.
Mr. Lillyvick
minor
Also known as the worthy Mr. Lillyvick, Lillyvick, Mrs. Lillyvick, uncle Lillyvick
A water-rate collector and uncle to the Kenwigs family.
Henrietta Petowker
minor
Also known as Miss Petowker, the late Miss Petowker, the talented Henrietta Petowker
An actress who marries Mr. Lillyvick.
Mr. Snawley
minor
Also known as Snawley, Master Snawley, young Mr. Snawley, old Mr. Snawley
A scheming father who places his sons at Dotheboys Hall.
Mrs. Snawley
minor
Also known as Mrs. Snawley
Mr. Snawley's wife.
Mr. Bray
minor
Also known as Bray
Madeline's selfish and invalid father.
Tilda Price
minor
Also known as Miss Matilda Price, Miss Price, Matilda, Tilda, Tilly Price
A lively young woman from Yorkshire who marries John Browdie.
Mr. Pyke
minor
Also known as Pyke, the indefatigable Mr. Pyke
A toadying associate of Sir Mulberry Hawk.
Mr. Pluck
minor
Also known as Pluck, the watchful Mr. Pluck
Another toadying associate of Sir Mulberry Hawk.
Mr. Gregsbury
minor
Also known as Mr. Gregsbury
A pompous Member of Parliament who briefly employs Nicholas.
Mr. Folair
minor
Also known as Folair, the immovable Mr. Folair
An actor in Crummles's troupe.
Mr. Lenville
minor
Also known as Lenville, the redoubtable Mr. Lenville, that Lenville
A tragedian in Crummles's troupe.
Mr. Snevellicci
minor
Also known as Snevellicci, Thus Mr. Snevellicci
An actor in Crummles's troupe and father of Miss Snevellicci.
Mrs. Snevellicci
minor
Also known as the unfortunate Mrs. Snevellicci
Wife of Mr. Snevellicci and mother of Miss Snevellicci.
Miss Ledrook
minor
Also known as Miss Ledrook
An actress in Crummles's troupe.
Mr. Crowl
minor
Also known as Crowl
A lodger at Newman Noggs's house.
Mr. Bonney
minor
Also known as Mr. Bonney
A member of the United Metropolitan Improved Hot Muffin and Crumpet Baking and Punctual Delivery Company.
Mr. Snittle Timberry
minor
Also known as Timberry, Mr. Timberry
A member of the Muffin Company.
Mr. Pugstyles
minor
Also known as Pugstyles
A member of the Muffin Company.
Mr. Curdle
minor
Also known as Mr. Curdle
A dramatic critic and friend of the Crummleses.
Mrs. Curdle
minor
Also known as Mrs. Curdle
Mr. Curdle's wife.
Tom Pipes
minor
Also known as Tom, Thomas
A servant of Lord Frederick Verisopht.
Mr. Brooker
minor
Also known as Brooker
A mysterious man with a grudge against Ralph Nickleby.
Mr. Scaley
minor
Also known as Scaley
A member of the Muffin Company.
Mr. Westwood
minor
Also known as Westwood
An acquaintance of Sir Mulberry Hawk.
Sir Tumley Snuffim
minor
Also known as Sir Tumley
Mrs. Wititterly's physician.
Miss Bravassa
minor
Also known as Miss Bravassa
An actress in Crummles's troupe.
Augustus Folair
minor
Also known as Augustus
An actor in Crummles's troupe.
Mr. Lumbey
minor
Also known as Mr. Lumbey
A doctor who attends the Kenwigs family.
Dr. Lumbey
minor
Also known as Dr. Lumbey
Another name for Mr. Lumbey, the doctor.
Mr. Trimmers
minor
Also known as Trimmers
A friend of the Kenwigs family.
Mrs. Blockson
minor
Also known as Mrs. Blockson
A neighbor of the Kenwigs family.
Mrs. Grudden
minor
Also known as old Grudden, Grudden, the indefatigable Mrs. Grudden
A member of Crummles's theatrical troupe.
Mr. Mortimer Knag
minor
Also known as Mortimer, Mr. Knag
Miss Knag's brother, a bookseller.
Phib
minor
Also known as the artful Phib
A servant of Arthur Gride.
Sir Matthew Pupker
minor
Also known as Sir Matthew Pupker
A member of the Muffin Company.
Mr. Godfrey Nickleby
minor
Also known as one Mr. Godfrey Nickleby
Nicholas's deceased father.
Baron Von Koeldwethout
minor
Also known as Grogzwig, the Baron of Grogzwig, Koeldwethout
A character in a story told by the Baron of Grogzwig.
The Lady Flabella
minor
Also known as Lady Flabella
A character in a novel read by Mrs. Nickleby.
Master Percy Crummles
minor
Also known as Mr. Crummles
One of the Crummles children.
Ninetta Crummles
minor
Also known as Miss Crummles, Miss Ninetta Crummles
The infant phenomenon of the Crummles troupe.
Mr. Johnson
minor
Also known as the unfortunate Mr. Johnson, Johnson, blank Johnson
A pseudonym used by Nicholas when traveling with Smike.
Demmit
minor
Also known as Demmit
An acquaintance of Sir Mulberry Hawk.
Mrs. Sliderskew
minor
Also known as deaf Mrs. Sliderskew
Another name for Peg Sliderskew.
Little Bolder
minor
Also known as Bolder
A student at Dotheboys Hall.
Graymarsh
minor
Also known as Graymarsh
A student at Dotheboys Hall.
Mobbs
minor
Also known as Mobbs
A student at Dotheboys Hall.
Cobbey
minor
Also known as Cobbey
A student at Dotheboys Hall.
Master Belling
minor
Also known as Belling
A student at Dotheboys Hall.
Digby
minor
Also known as the faithful Digby
A servant of Lord Frederick Verisopht.
Captain Adams
minor
Also known as Adams
A friend of the Nickleby family.
