# Pygmalion — Character guide

> Key figures in Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.

- [Henry Higgins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/henry_higgins.md): A phonetics professor who bets he can pass a Cockney flower girl off as a duchess.
- [Eliza Doolittle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/eliza_doolittle.md): A Cockney flower girl transformed into a lady by Higgins's phonetic training.
- [Colonel Pickering](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/colonel_pickering.md): A gentleman linguist who bets with Higgins and treats Eliza with kindness.
- [Mrs. Pearce](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/mrs_pearce.md): Higgins's housekeeper who manages his household and worries about Eliza's welfare.
- [Mrs. Higgins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/mrs_higgins.md): Henry Higgins's mother, a refined woman who hosts the test of Eliza's transformation.
- [Alfred Doolittle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/alfred_doolittle.md): Eliza's father, a dustman who unexpectedly inherits wealth and middle-class morality.
- [Freddy Eynsford Hill](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/freddy_eynsford_hill.md): A young gentleman smitten with Eliza who becomes her devoted suitor.
- [Clara Eynsford Hill](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/clara_eynsford_hill.md): Freddy's sister, a social-climbing young woman impressed by Eliza's new speech.
- [Mrs. Eynsford Hill](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/mrs_eynsford_hill.md): Freddy and Clara's mother, a genteel but impoverished widow.
- [The Parlormaid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/the_parlormaid.md): Higgins's household maid who announces visitors.
- [Henry Sweet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/henry_sweet.md): A phonetician mentioned as a real-life inspiration for Higgins.
- [George Bernard Shaw](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/george_bernard_shaw.md): The author of the play, referenced in the endnotes.
- [Mr. H. G. Wells](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/mr_h_g_wells.md): A contemporary author mentioned in passing.
- [Pitman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/pitman.md): Inventor of shorthand, referenced in the text.
- [Milton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pygmalion_se/characters/milton.md): The poet John Milton, quoted by Higgins.

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