# The Black Tulip — Character guide

> Key figures in The Black Tulip by Alexandre Dumas.

- [Cornelius van Baerle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/cornelius_van_baerle.md): A tulip-growing doctor imprisoned for treason, who cultivates the black tulip.
- [Rosa Gryphus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/rosa_gryphus.md): The jailer's daughter who helps Cornelius and falls in love with him.
- [Isaac Boxtel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/isaac_boxtel.md): Cornelius's jealous neighbor who schemes to steal the black tulip.
- [Gryphus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/gryphus.md): The brutal jailer of Loewestein and Rosa's father.
- [Cornelius de Witt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/cornelius_de_witt.md): A Dutch statesman and brother of John de Witt, executed by a mob.
- [John de Witt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/john_de_witt.md): The Grand Pensionary of Holland, murdered alongside his brother.
- [William of Orange](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/william_of_orange.md): The Prince of Orange who becomes Stadtholder and opposes the De Witts.
- [President van Systens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/president_van_systens.md): President of the Horticultural Society of Haarlem who judges the tulip contest.
- [Craeke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/craeke.md): Cornelius de Witt's loyal servant who warns him of danger.
- [Count Tilly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/count_tilly.md): Captain of the cavalry guard who protects the De Witt brothers.
- [Tyckelaer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/tyckelaer.md): A burgher of the Hague who incites the mob against the De Witts.
- [Van Deken](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/van_deken.md): A captain who assists in the execution of Cornelius de Witt.
- [Bowelt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/bowelt.md): A deputy sent to escort Cornelius van Baerle to Loewestein.
- [Grotius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/grotius.md): A famous Dutch jurist mentioned as a former prisoner of Loewestein.
- [Mathias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/mathias.md): A minor character who assists in the prison escape plot.
- [Master van Spennen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/master_van_spennen.md): A Haarlem notary involved in the tulip society's proceedings.
- [Marquis de Louvois](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/marquis_de_louvois.md): French minister of war who corresponds with William of Orange.
- [Louis XIV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_tulip_se/characters/louis_xiv.md): King of France, mentioned in diplomatic context with Holland.

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