Character guide

Henry Higgins

major

Also known as Professor Higgins, Higgins, Higgins Hastily, Higgins Arrogant, Higgins Tempted, Higgins Really, Higgins Oh Lord, Higgins Lord, Higgins Damnation, Higgins Liar, Higgins Rising, Pygmalion Higgins

A phonetics professor who bets he can pass a Cockney flower girl off as a duchess.

Eliza Doolittle

major

Also known as Liza, Eliza, Elizabeth, Betsy, Liza Coyly, Liza Darkly, Liza Angrily, Liza Weeping, Liza Rising, Liza No, Liza Continuing, The Flower Girl, Girl, The Flower Girl Garn, The Flower Girl Appalled, Miss Doolittle

A Cockney flower girl transformed into a lady by Higgins's phonetic training.

Colonel Pickering

supporting

Also known as Pickering, Pickering Cheerfully, Pickering Right, Pickering Oh, Pickering Shaking, Pickering Rising, Pickering Astonished, Pickering Gently, Pickering Laughing, Pickering Quietly, Pickering By Jove, Pickering Doolittle, Pickering Beethoven, Pickering Dressing Eliza, the Colonel, Colonel

A gentleman linguist who bets with Higgins and treats Eliza with kindness.

Mrs. Pearce

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Pearce Nonsense, Mrs. Pearce Severely, Mrs. Pearce Stop, Mrs. Pearce Mr. Higgins, Mrs. Pearce Patiently

Higgins's housekeeper who manages his household and worries about Eliza's welfare.

Mrs. Higgins

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Higgins Oh Henry, Mrs. Higgins Henry, Mrs. Higgins Shaking, Mrs. Higgins Rising, Act V Mrs. Higgins

Henry Higgins's mother, a refined woman who hosts the test of Eliza's transformation.

Alfred Doolittle

supporting

Also known as Mr. Doolittle, Doolittle, Doolittle Sadly, Doolittle Landlady, Doolittle Rising, Doolittle Morning, Doolittle Protesting, Doolittle Sweetly, Doolittle Bridegroom

Eliza's father, a dustman who unexpectedly inherits wealth and middle-class morality.

Freddy Eynsford Hill

supporting

Also known as Freddy, Freddy Sorry, Freddy Bowing . Ahdedo, Ahdedo, Freddy Hill, Freddy Killing, young Mr. Frederick Eynsford Hill, Frederick Eynsford Hill, Mr. F. Hill

A young gentleman smitten with Eliza who becomes her devoted suitor.

Clara Eynsford Hill

minor

Also known as Clara, Clara Rising, Poor Clara, Miss Eynsford Hill, Miss Eynsford Hill Gaily

Freddy's sister, a social-climbing young woman impressed by Eliza's new speech.

Mrs. Eynsford Hill

minor

Also known as Mrs. Eynsford Hill Introducing, Mrs. Eynsford Hill Rising, Mrs. Eynsford Hill Half rising

Freddy and Clara's mother, a genteel but impoverished widow.

The Parlormaid

minor

Also known as The Parlormaid Colonel Pickering, The Parlormaid Mr. Henry

Higgins's household maid who announces visitors.

Henry Sweet

minor

Also known as Sweet

A phonetician mentioned as a real-life inspiration for Higgins.

George Bernard Shaw

minor

Also known as George

The author of the play, referenced in the endnotes.

Mr. H. G. Wells

minor

Also known as Wells, Mr. Wells

A contemporary author mentioned in passing.

Pitman

minor

Inventor of shorthand, referenced in the text.

Milton

minor

The poet John Milton, quoted by Higgins.