Character guide

Mr. Boffin

major

Also known as Boffin, Mrs. Boffin, Noddy Boffin, Nicodemus Boffin

Golden Dustman who inherits the Harmon fortune and becomes a central figure.

Mortimer Lightwood

major

Also known as Lightwood, Mortimer Lightwood Esquire, Lawyer Lightwood

Indolent lawyer and friend of Eugene Wrayburn, involved in the Harmon mystery.

Eugene Wrayburn

major

Also known as Mr. Eugene Wrayburn, Mr. Wrayburn, Eugene, Sir Eugene

Airtight gentleman and lawyer, deeply entangled with Lizzie Hexam and Bradley Headstone.

Bella Wilfer

major

Also known as Miss Bella, Miss Wilfer, Bella Wilfer, little Bella

Beautiful and spirited young woman who marries John Rokesmith and grows morally.

Silas Wegg

major

Also known as Wegg, Mr. Wegg, Silas, the wooden Wegg

One-legged ballad-monger who schemes against Mr. Boffin with a hidden will.

Bradley Headstone

major

Also known as Mr. Headstone, Mr. Bradley Headstone, Bradley

Passionate schoolmaster obsessed with Lizzie Hexam, leading to violent rivalry.

Lizzie Hexam

major

Also known as Liz, Lizzie Hexam, Hexam, the real Lizzie Hexam

Strong-willed daughter of Gaffer Hexam, sought after by Headstone and Wrayburn.

John Rokesmith

major

Also known as Mr. Rokesmith, Rokesmith, John Rokesmith, John

Secretary to Mr. Boffin, secretly the presumed-dead John Harmon who loves Bella.

Alfred Lammle

supporting

Also known as Mr. Lammle, Alfred Lammle, the captivating Alfred

Scheming social climber who marries Sophronia for money and plots against others.

Sophronia Lammle

supporting

Also known as Sophronia Akershem, Sophronia, Mrs. Lammle

Wife of Alfred Lammle, initially complicit in schemes but later shows conscience.

Mr. Venus

supporting

Also known as Venus, Cock Robin, the unfortunate Mr. Venus

Articulator of bones and taxidermist, becomes Wegg's reluctant partner in crime.

Roger Riderhood

supporting

Also known as Riderhood, Mr. Riderhood, Rogue Riderhood, the Rogue

Dishonest waterman and informer who threatens and is threatened by Headstone.

Twemlow

supporting

Also known as Mr. Twemlow, Poor Twemlow, the estimable Twemlow

Gentle and meek cousin of Lord Snigsworth, a frequent guest at Veneering dinners.

Fledgeby

supporting

Also known as Mr. Fledgeby, Fascination Fledgeby, young Fledgeby

Cowardly and cunning moneylender who employs Riah and torments Jenny Wren.

Jenny Wren

supporting

Also known as Miss Jenny Wren, Jenny, Miss Wren, the dolls' dressmaker

Crippled dolls' dressmaker with a sharp tongue and a kind heart, friend to Lizzie.

Charley Hexam

supporting

Also known as Charley, young Charley Hexam, Charley Hexam, Charles Hexam

Ambitious brother of Lizzie Hexam, becomes a pupil of Headstone and later a clerk.

Gaffer Hexam

supporting

Also known as Gaffer Hexam, Gaffer, Jesse Hexam

Father of Lizzie and Charley, a waterman who fishes corpses from the Thames.

Mrs. Wilfer

supporting

Also known as Wilfer, the worthy Mrs. Wilfer, the discreet Mrs. Wilfer

Bella's pompous and self-dramatizing mother, often affecting injured dignity.

Lavinia Wilfer

supporting

Also known as Miss Lavinia, Lavinia, Lavvy, the sharp Lavinia

Bella's sharp-tongued younger sister, later married to George Sampson.

Reginald Wilfer

supporting

Also known as R. Wilfer, Wilfer, Rumty, Pa

Bella's gentle and impoverished father, a clerk with a loving nature.

Mr. Podsnap

supporting

Also known as Podsnap, dear Mr. Podsnap

Pompous, self-satisfied businessman who embodies Victorian respectability.

Georgiana Podsnap

supporting

Also known as Georgiana, little Georgiana, Georgiana Podsnap

Shy and sheltered daughter of Mr. Podsnap, befriended by the Lammles.

Riah

supporting

Also known as Mr. Riah, the Jew, Riah the Jew

Kind Jewish moneylender who works for Fledgeby and protects Jenny Wren.

Pleasant Riderhood

supporting

Also known as Miss Pleasant Riderhood, Pleasant, poor Pleasant

Daughter of Roger Riderhood, keeps a tavern and has a romantic interest in Venus.

Sloppy

supporting

Also known as Mister Sloppy, Mr. Sloppy, the sympathetic Sloppy

Simple-minded young man adopted by Betty Higden, skilled at reading and woodwork.

Betty Higden

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Betty Higden, Mrs. Higden, Betty, old Betty

Stubborn old woman who takes in orphans and fears the workhouse.

Miss Abbey Potterson

supporting

Also known as Miss Potterson, Abbey, Miss Abbey, the stately Abbey

Stern but fair landlady of the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters tavern.

Mr. Inspector

supporting

Police inspector investigating the Harmon murder and other Thames mysteries.

George Sampson

minor

Also known as George, George Sampson, Mr. George Sampson, Mr. Sampson

Awkward young man who courts Lavinia Wilfer and later marries her.

Mrs. Veneering

minor

Also known as Veneering, Anastatia Veneering, Anastatia

Social-climbing wife of Mr. Veneering, obsessed with fashionable dinner parties.

Mr. Veneering

minor

Also known as Veneering, Hamilton Veneering

Newly rich politician and host, whose dinners are a social barometer.

Lady Tippins

minor

Also known as old Lady Tippins, the Lady Tippins, Tippins

Widowed society gossip who frequents Veneering parties and matchmakes.

Miss Peecher

minor

Also known as Little Miss Peecher, little Miss Peecher, good Miss Peecher

Schoolmistress who secretly loves Bradley Headstone.

Mrs. Milvey

minor

Also known as little Mrs. Milvey, brisk Mrs. Milvey

Brisk and kind wife of Reverend Milvey, helps with charitable work.

Reverend Frank Milvey

minor

Also known as the Reverend Frank Milvey, Frank, Mr. Milvey

Poor but good-hearted clergyman who performs marriages and assists the poor.

John Harmon

minor

Also known as a Mr. Harmon, Mr. John Harmon, the deceased Mr. John Harmon, old Mr. Harmon

Deceased miser whose will sets the plot in motion; his son is presumed dead.

Julius Handford

minor

Also known as Mr. Julius Handford, Mr. Handford, Handford

Mysterious alias used by John Rokesmith when first appearing in London.

George Radfoot

minor

Also known as Mr. Radfoot, Radfoot

Sailor who conspired with and was murdered in place of John Harmon.

Mrs. Podsnap

minor

Also known as the majestic Mrs. Podsnap, the conquering Podsnap

Podsnap's wife, a majestic and silent presence in his household.

Bob Gliddery

minor

Also known as Bob, Bob Gliddery

Barman at the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters, serves Miss Abbey.

Job Potterson

minor

Also known as Mr. Job Potterson, Potterson

Brother of Miss Abbey, a ship's steward who returns home.

Young Blight

minor

Also known as Blight, young Blight

Clerk to Mortimer Lightwood, eager and somewhat comical.

Mrs. Sprodgkin

minor

Annoying parishioner who pesters Reverend Milvey with trivial complaints.

Lord Snigsworth

minor

Also known as the awful Snigsworth, the sublime Snigsworth, Snigsworth

Twemlow's noble relative, often mentioned but rarely seen.

Analytical Chemist

minor

Also known as The Analytical, the Analytical, The Analytical Chemist

Veneering's haughty butler, known for his disdainful silence.

Mrs. Tapkins

minor

Also known as Mrs. Henry George Alfred Swoshle née Tapkins

Social climber who writes to Mr. Boffin seeking patronage.

Mrs. Boffin

supporting

Also known as the cheerful Mrs. Boffin, the openhearted Mrs. Boffin

Kind-hearted wife of Mr. Boffin, who loves Bella like a daughter.

Mary Anne

minor

Young pupil of Miss Peecher, often questioned about Headstone.

Dolls

minor

Also known as Mr. Dolls

Jenny Wren's drunken and abusive father, who eventually dies.

Brewer

minor

Also known as Mr. Brewer

One of the Veneerings' dinner guests, a man of business.

Boots

minor

Also known as Mr. Boots

Another of the Veneerings' dinner guests, often paired with Brewer.

Buffer

minor

Also known as Same Buffer

Frequent guest at Veneering dinners, known for his bland conversation.

Mr. Jacob Kibble

minor

Also known as Mr. Kibble

A friend of the Boffins who gives advice about the dust mounds.

Tom Tootle

minor

Also known as Tom, Tootle, the blushing Tootle

A young man who blushes easily, a guest at Veneering's.

Captain Joey

minor

A river man, possibly a friend of Riderhood.

Uncle Parker

minor

Relative of the Wilfers, mentioned in family discussions.

John Elwes

minor

Also known as John Elwes, Elwes

Historical miser mentioned as a comparison to old Mr. Harmon.

Daniel Dancer

minor

Also known as Daniel Dancer, Dancer, Mr. Dancer

Historical miser referenced in the novel for his extreme thrift.

Miss Dancer

minor

Sister of Daniel Dancer, also a miser, mentioned in passing.

Vulture Hopkins

minor

Also known as Hopkins

Historical miser mentioned as a comparison to old Harmon.

Mrs. Jack Styles

minor

Also known as Johnny

Woman who adopts an orphaned child, mentioned by Betty Higden.

Edward

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or clerk.

Clifford

minor

A guest at Veneering's, possibly a military man.

Margaretta

minor

A servant in the Wilfer household.

Cecilia

minor

A minor female character, possibly a friend of the Wilfers.

Bob Glamour

minor

Also known as Bob

A minor character, possibly a river worker.

Jack Mullins

minor

Also known as Mr. Jack Mullins, Mullins, the blushing Mullins, Johnny

A young man who courts and marries a minor character.

William Williams

minor

Also known as Williams

A minor character, possibly a clerk or tradesman.

Robert Baldwin

minor

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

General John Reid

minor

Also known as General sensation

Historical figure mentioned in a social context.

Aaron

minor

Also known as Mr. Aaron

A Jewish associate of Riah, possibly a moneylender.

Judah

minor

A Jewish associate of Riah, mentioned briefly.

Gruff and Glum

minor

Also known as Gruff, Glum, victorious Gruff and Glum

Two comic servants of the Boffins, known for their taciturnity.

Little Eyes

minor

A child or small person mentioned in the narrative.

Stobbles, Chicksey, Veneering

minor

Also known as Chicksey, Stobbles

Firm name of Veneering's former business partnership.

Pubsey and Co.

minor

Also known as Pubsey

Firm name under which Fledgeby operates his moneylending business.

Lady Belinda Whitrose

minor

Also known as Lady Belinda, Bella

A society lady, possibly a friend of the Veneerings.

Mrs. Eugene Wrayburn

minor

Also known as Mrs. Eugene

Eugene's mother, mentioned but not appearing in the story.