# The Age of Innocence — Character guide

> Key figures in The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton.

- [Newland Archer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/newland_archer.md): A young lawyer from a prominent New York family, engaged to May Welland.
- [Ellen Olenska](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/ellen_olenska.md): May Welland's cousin, who returns from Europe with a scandalous reputation.
- [May Welland](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/may_welland.md): Newland Archer's fiancée and later wife, embodying old New York innocence.
- [Mrs. Archer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/mrs_archer.md): Newland's mother, a pillar of New York society.
- [Janey Archer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/janey_archer.md): Newland's unmarried sister, living with their mother.
- [Sillerton Jackson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/sillerton_jackson.md): An elderly gentleman who knows everyone's family secrets.
- [Julius Beaufort](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/julius_beaufort.md): A wealthy and flashy banker with a questionable reputation.
- [Mrs. Julius Beaufort](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/mrs_beaufort.md): Beaufort's wife, a socially ambitious woman.
- [Mrs. Manson Mingott](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/mrs_manson_mingott.md): The formidable matriarch of the Mingott family.
- [Mrs. Welland](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/mrs_welland.md): May's mother, a conventional society woman.
- [Mr. Welland](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/mr_welland.md): May's father, a mild-mannered gentleman.
- [Lawrence Lefferts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/lawrence_lefferts.md): A fashionable man known for his expertise on social matters.
- [Henry van der Luyden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/henry_van_der_luyden.md): The head of the most aristocratic family in New York.
- [Mrs. Henry van der Luyden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/mrs_van_der_luyden.md): Henry's wife, a quiet but powerful social arbiter.
- [Medora Manson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/medora_manson.md): Ellen's eccentric aunt who raised her in Europe.
- [Letterblair](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/letterblair.md): The senior partner at the law firm where Newland works.
- [Regina Dallas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/regina_dallas.md): A lively young woman from a less strict family.
- [M. Rivière](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/m_riviere.md): A French tutor and intellectual who befriends Newland.
- [Ned Winsett](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/ned_winsett.md): A journalist and friend of Newland with artistic aspirations.
- [Mrs. Lemuel Struthers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/mrs_struthers.md): A wealthy widow with a slightly bohemian social circle.
- [Fanny Ring](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/fanny_ring.md): A young woman associated with Beaufort's set.
- [Dr. Carver](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/dr_carver.md): A charismatic preacher followed by Medora Manson.
- [Duke of St. Austrey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/duke_of_st_austrey.md): An English duke visiting New York society.
- [Emerson Sillerton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/emerson_sillerton.md): A professor and brother of Sillerton Jackson.
- [Amy Sillerton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/amy_sillerton.md): A young woman from the Sillerton family.
- [Fanny Beaufort](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/fanny_beaufort.md): Julius Beaufort's daughter from his first marriage.
- [Adeline Archer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/adeline_archer.md): Newland's deceased sister or aunt, mentioned in passing.
- [Miss Archer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/miss_archer.md): A generic reference to an unmarried Archer woman.
- [Mr. Brown](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/mr_brown.md): A minor character, possibly a servant or tradesman.
- [Miss Harle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/miss_harle.md): A young woman mentioned in social context.
- [Grandmamma Spicer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/grandmamma_spicer.md): An elderly relative of the Archer family.
- [Bill](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_innocence_se/characters/bill.md): A young boy, possibly a servant or child in a minor scene.

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