# Our Mutual Friend — Character guide

> Key figures in Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens.

- [Mr. Boffin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mr_boffin.md): Golden Dustman who inherits the Harmon fortune and becomes a central figure.
- [Mortimer Lightwood](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mortimer_lightwood.md): Indolent lawyer and friend of Eugene Wrayburn, involved in the Harmon mystery.
- [Eugene Wrayburn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/eugene_wrayburn.md): Airtight gentleman and lawyer, deeply entangled with Lizzie Hexam and Bradley Headstone.
- [Bella Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bella_wilfer.md): Beautiful and spirited young woman who marries John Rokesmith and grows morally.
- [Silas Wegg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/silas_wegg.md): One-legged ballad-monger who schemes against Mr. Boffin with a hidden will.
- [Bradley Headstone](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bradley_headstone.md): Passionate schoolmaster obsessed with Lizzie Hexam, leading to violent rivalry.
- [Lizzie Hexam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/lizzie_hexam.md): Strong-willed daughter of Gaffer Hexam, sought after by Headstone and Wrayburn.
- [John Rokesmith](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/john_rokesmith.md): Secretary to Mr. Boffin, secretly the presumed-dead John Harmon who loves Bella.
- [Alfred Lammle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/alfred_lammle.md): Scheming social climber who marries Sophronia for money and plots against others.
- [Sophronia Lammle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/sophronia_lammle.md): Wife of Alfred Lammle, initially complicit in schemes but later shows conscience.
- [Mr. Venus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mr_venus.md): Articulator of bones and taxidermist, becomes Wegg's reluctant partner in crime.
- [Roger Riderhood](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/roger_riderhood.md): Dishonest waterman and informer who threatens and is threatened by Headstone.
- [Twemlow](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/twemlow.md): Gentle and meek cousin of Lord Snigsworth, a frequent guest at Veneering dinners.
- [Fledgeby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/fledgeby.md): Cowardly and cunning moneylender who employs Riah and torments Jenny Wren.
- [Jenny Wren](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/jenny_wren.md): Crippled dolls' dressmaker with a sharp tongue and a kind heart, friend to Lizzie.
- [Charley Hexam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/charley_hexam.md): Ambitious brother of Lizzie Hexam, becomes a pupil of Headstone and later a clerk.
- [Gaffer Hexam](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/gaffer_hexam.md): Father of Lizzie and Charley, a waterman who fishes corpses from the Thames.
- [Mrs. Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mrs_wilfer.md): Bella's pompous and self-dramatizing mother, often affecting injured dignity.
- [Lavinia Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/lavinia_wilfer.md): Bella's sharp-tongued younger sister, later married to George Sampson.
- [Reginald Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/reginald_wilfer.md): Bella's gentle and impoverished father, a clerk with a loving nature.
- [Mr. Podsnap](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mr_podsnap.md): Pompous, self-satisfied businessman who embodies Victorian respectability.
- [Georgiana Podsnap](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/georgiana_podsnap.md): Shy and sheltered daughter of Mr. Podsnap, befriended by the Lammles.
- [Riah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/ria.md): Kind Jewish moneylender who works for Fledgeby and protects Jenny Wren.
- [Pleasant Riderhood](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/pleasant_riderhood.md): Daughter of Roger Riderhood, keeps a tavern and has a romantic interest in Venus.
- [Sloppy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/sloppy.md): Simple-minded young man adopted by Betty Higden, skilled at reading and woodwork.
- [Betty Higden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/betty_higden.md): Stubborn old woman who takes in orphans and fears the workhouse.
- [Miss Abbey Potterson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/miss_abbey_potterson.md): Stern but fair landlady of the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters tavern.
- [Mr. Inspector](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mr_inspector.md): Police inspector investigating the Harmon murder and other Thames mysteries.
- [George Sampson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/george_sampson.md): Awkward young man who courts Lavinia Wilfer and later marries her.
- [Mrs. Veneering](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mrs_venearing.md): Social-climbing wife of Mr. Veneering, obsessed with fashionable dinner parties.
- [Mr. Veneering](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mr_venearing.md): Newly rich politician and host, whose dinners are a social barometer.
- [Lady Tippins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/lady_tippins.md): Widowed society gossip who frequents Veneering parties and matchmakes.
- [Miss Peecher](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/miss_peecher.md): Schoolmistress who secretly loves Bradley Headstone.
- [Mrs. Milvey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mrs_milvey.md): Brisk and kind wife of Reverend Milvey, helps with charitable work.
- [Reverend Frank Milvey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/reverend_frank_milvey.md): Poor but good-hearted clergyman who performs marriages and assists the poor.
- [John Harmon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/john_harmon.md): Deceased miser whose will sets the plot in motion; his son is presumed dead.
- [Julius Handford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/julius_handford.md): Mysterious alias used by John Rokesmith when first appearing in London.
- [George Radfoot](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/george_radfoot.md): Sailor who conspired with and was murdered in place of John Harmon.
- [Mrs. Podsnap](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mrs_podsnap.md): Podsnap's wife, a majestic and silent presence in his household.
- [Bob Gliddery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bob_gliddery.md): Barman at the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters, serves Miss Abbey.
- [Job Potterson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/job_potterson.md): Brother of Miss Abbey, a ship's steward who returns home.
- [Young Blight](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/young_blight.md): Clerk to Mortimer Lightwood, eager and somewhat comical.
- [Mrs. Sprodgkin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mrs_sprodgkin.md): Annoying parishioner who pesters Reverend Milvey with trivial complaints.
- [Lord Snigsworth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/lord_snigsworth.md): Twemlow's noble relative, often mentioned but rarely seen.
- [Analytical Chemist](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/analytical_chemist.md): Veneering's haughty butler, known for his disdainful silence.
- [Mrs. Tapkins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mrs_tapkins.md): Social climber who writes to Mr. Boffin seeking patronage.
- [Mrs. Boffin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mrs_boffin.md): Kind-hearted wife of Mr. Boffin, who loves Bella like a daughter.
- [Mary Anne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mary_anne.md): Young pupil of Miss Peecher, often questioned about Headstone.
- [Dolls](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/dolls.md): Jenny Wren's drunken and abusive father, who eventually dies.
- [Brewer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/brewers.md): One of the Veneerings' dinner guests, a man of business.
- [Boots](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/boots.md): Another of the Veneerings' dinner guests, often paired with Brewer.
- [Buffer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/buffer.md): Frequent guest at Veneering dinners, known for his bland conversation.
- [Mr. Jacob Kibble](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mr_jacob_kibble.md): A friend of the Boffins who gives advice about the dust mounds.
- [Tom Tootle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/tom_tootle.md): A young man who blushes easily, a guest at Veneering's.
- [Captain Joey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/captain_joey.md): A river man, possibly a friend of Riderhood.
- [Uncle Parker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/uncle_parker.md): Relative of the Wilfers, mentioned in family discussions.
- [John Elwes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/john_elves.md): Historical miser mentioned as a comparison to old Mr. Harmon.
- [Daniel Dancer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/daniel_dancer.md): Historical miser referenced in the novel for his extreme thrift.
- [Miss Dancer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/miss_dancer.md): Sister of Daniel Dancer, also a miser, mentioned in passing.
- [Vulture Hopkins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/vulture_hopkins.md): Historical miser mentioned as a comparison to old Harmon.
- [Mrs. Jack Styles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mrs_jack_styles.md): Woman who adopts an orphaned child, mentioned by Betty Higden.
- [Edward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/edward.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or clerk.
- [Clifford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/clifford.md): A guest at Veneering's, possibly a military man.
- [Cecilia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/cecilia.md): A minor female character, possibly a friend of the Wilfers.
- [Bob Glamour](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bob_glamour.md): A minor character, possibly a river worker.
- [Jack Mullins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/jack_mullins.md): A young man who courts and marries a minor character.
- [William Williams](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/william_williams.md): A minor character, possibly a clerk or tradesman.
- [Robert Baldwin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/robert_baldwin.md): A minor character mentioned in the narrative.
- [General John Reid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/general_john_reid.md): Historical figure mentioned in a social context.
- [Aaron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/aaron.md): A Jewish associate of Riah, possibly a moneylender.
- [Judah](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/judah.md): A Jewish associate of Riah, mentioned briefly.
- [Gruff and Glum](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/gruff_and_glum.md): Two comic servants of the Boffins, known for their taciturnity.
- [Little Eyes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/little_eyes.md): A child or small person mentioned in the narrative.
- [Stobbles, Chicksey, Veneering](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/stobbles_chicksey_venearing.md): Firm name of Veneering's former business partnership.
- [Pubsey and Co.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/pubsey_and_co.md): Firm name under which Fledgeby operates his moneylending business.
- [Lady Belinda Whitrose](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/lady_belinda_whitrose.md): A society lady, possibly a friend of the Veneerings.
- [Mrs. Eugene Wrayburn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/mrs_eugene_wrayburn.md): Eugene's mother, mentioned but not appearing in the story.

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