The Clever Woman of the Family · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Clever Woman of the Family by Charlotte M. Yonge.
Rachel Curtis
major
Also known as Rachel, Aunt Rachel, Miss Curtis, Miss Rachel, Miss Rachel Curtis
Clever, impulsive young woman who seeks a mission and causes trouble with her schemes.
Alick Keith
major
Also known as Alick, poor Alick, dear Alick, Keith
A young officer, nephew of Colonel Keith, who becomes involved with Rachel and her family.
Fanny Temple
major
Also known as Fanny, poor Fanny, Francie, Grace
Rachel's gentle, pretty sister, married to Sir Edward Morden, often overwhelmed by life.
Ermine Williams
major
Also known as Ermine, Rose Ermine Williams, Miss Ermine
A refined, sensible young woman, sister to Alison, who becomes a friend and confidante.
Rose Williams
supporting
Also known as Rosie, Rose, little Rose, Tempest Rose
Ermine's younger sister, a lively and somewhat mischievous girl.
Aunt Ermine
supporting
Also known as Ermine, dear Ermine
Elderly aunt of the Williams sisters, a kind and wise presence in the household.
Bessie Keith
supporting
Also known as Bessie, dear little Bessie, Bessie Keith
A young girl, daughter of Colonel Keith, who is often amused by the adults around her.
Alison Williams
supporting
Also known as Alison, Miss Williams, poor Alison, Miss Alison Williams
Ermine's sister, a quiet and unformed young woman who later marries.
Lady Temple
supporting
Also known as the perplexed Lady Temple, dear Lady Temple, Dear little Lady Temple
Fanny's mother-in-law, a well-meaning but often confused elderly lady.
Colonel Keith
major
Also known as Colonel, Alexander Keith, young Alexander
A military officer, father of Alick and Bessie, a central figure in the Gowanbrae circle.
Sir Edward Morden
supporting
Also known as Edward, Sir Edward, Sir Edward Morden, Edward Williams
Fanny's husband, a grey-haired baronet who is kind but somewhat ineffectual.
Conrade Temple
minor
Also known as Conrade, Conrade Temple, dear Conrade
A young man, possibly a relative of Lady Temple, who is a friend of the family.
Captain Keith
minor
Also known as Alexander Keith, Captain Alexander Keith, Alexander
A military officer, possibly a relative of Colonel Keith, who appears in the narrative.
Lord Keith
minor
Also known as the late Lord Keith, Gowanbrae, my poor old Lord Keith, Keith of Gowanbrae
Deceased patriarch of the Keith family, often referenced in connection to Gowanbrae.
Mrs. Curtis
supporting
Also known as Gentle Mrs. Curtis, Poor Mrs. Curtis, poor perplexed Mrs. Curtis
Rachel and Fanny's mother, a gentle and somewhat overwhelmed widow.
Mr. Mauleverer
supporting
Also known as Mauleverer, the consenting Mr. Mauleverer
A clergyman who is involved in the parish and the Curtis family's affairs.
Colin Keith
supporting
Also known as Colin, Colin A. Keith, Dear Colin, Mrs. Colin Keith
A relative of the Keith family, possibly a brother of Colonel Keith, married to Mrs. Colin Keith.
Mr. Clare
minor
Also known as Mr. Clare
A clergyman who appears in the narrative, possibly connected to the parish.
Mr. Maddox
minor
Also known as Maddox
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a servant or tradesman.
Mr. Grey
minor
Also known as Mr. Grey
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Mr. Touchett
minor
Also known as Poor Mr. Touchett, poor Mr. Touchett
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or relative.
Lady Alison Beauchamp
minor
Also known as the Lady Alison Beauchamp, Lady Alison, Beauchamp, dear Lady Alison
A noblewoman, possibly a relative of the Keiths, who appears in the narrative.
Mrs. Tibbie
minor
Also known as Tibbie
A servant or housekeeper in one of the households, speaks with a Scottish dialect.
Violetta Williams
minor
Also known as Miss Williams, the other Miss Williams, Miss Violetta Williams, Miss Violetta
Another sister of Ermine and Alison, possibly the youngest.
Aunt Alison
minor
Also known as Alison
An elderly aunt of the Williams sisters, possibly a relative living with them.
Aunt Ailie
minor
Also known as Ailie, O Ailie
An elderly aunt, possibly of the Keith family, who speaks with a Scottish dialect.
Sir Stephen Temple
minor
Also known as General Sir Stephen Temple, Sir Stephen Temple, Stephen, dear Sir Stephen
A general, possibly Lady Temple's husband or relative, who appears in the narrative.
Mrs. Kelland
minor
Also known as Sundays Mrs. Kelland
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.
Maria Hatherton
minor
Also known as Maria, Hatherton, poor Maria, May
A young woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend of the family.
Lady Keith
minor
Also known as A Keith
A member of the Keith family, possibly the wife of Colonel Keith.
Maister Colin
minor
Also known as Colin
A young boy, possibly a relative of the Keiths, who appears in the narrative.
Lovedy Kelland
minor
Also known as Poor Lovedy Kelland, Lovedy, poor Lovedy, little Lovedy
A young girl, possibly a daughter of Mrs. Kelland, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Mitchell
minor
Also known as Mr. Mitchell
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Francis
minor
Also known as Master Francis, King Francis
A historical figure referenced in the narrative, possibly in a story or allusion.
Mary Morris
minor
Also known as Mary, little Mary, the frightened Mary, Little Mary Morris, old Morris
A young girl, possibly a servant or a child in the village, who appears in the narrative.
Harry Beauchamp
minor
Also known as Harry, Beauchamp, honest Harry
A young man, possibly a relative of Lady Alison Beauchamp, who appears in the narrative.
Mrs. Comyn Menteith
minor
Also known as this Comyn Menteith, Mrs. Menteith, Menteith
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Hubert
minor
Also known as Robert Bruce
A historical figure referenced in the narrative, possibly in a story or allusion.
Grace Curtis
minor
Also known as Grace
A young woman, possibly a relative of Rachel and Fanny, who appears in the narrative.
Poor Ailie
minor
Also known as Ailie, dear Ailie
A woman, possibly a servant or relative, who appears in the narrative.
Young Mr. Keith
minor
Also known as Mr. Keith, young Keith
A young man of the Keith family, possibly a relative of Colonel Keith.
Mr. Williams
minor
Also known as the said Mr. Williams
A man, possibly the father of the Williams sisters, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Mr. Lifford
minor
Also known as Lifford
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Mrs. Rawlins
minor
Also known as Mrs. Rawlins
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.
Miss Wellwood
minor
Also known as Miss Wellwood
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Mamma
minor
Also known as mamma, Joanna Baillie 'Mamma'
A mother figure, possibly of one of the main characters, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Mrs. Rossitur
minor
Also known as Rossitur
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Emily Grey
minor
Also known as Emily, Emmie
A young woman, possibly a relative of Mr. Grey, who appears in the narrative.
Una
minor
Also known as little Una, that little witch Una
A young girl, possibly a child in the village, who appears in the narrative.
Coombe
minor
Also known as the astonished Coombe
A servant or attendant who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Harvey
minor
Also known as Harvey
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Meg
minor
Also known as Meg
A woman, possibly a servant or relative, who appears in the narrative.
Miss Keith
minor
Also known as Miss Keith
A young woman of the Keith family, possibly a sister or daughter.
Mrs. Huntsford
minor
Also known as Mrs. Huntsford
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.
Mr. Beauchamp
minor
Also known as Beauchamp
A man, possibly a relative of Lady Alison Beauchamp, who appears in the narrative.
Uncle George
minor
Also known as Uncle George
An uncle of one of the main characters, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Charlie Carleton
minor
Also known as Charlie, Carleton, Charles Carleton
A young man, possibly a friend or relative, who appears in the narrative.
Don
minor
Also known as poor Don, Donald
A man, possibly a servant or acquaintance, who appears in the narrative.
Mrs. Carleton
minor
Also known as young Carleton
A woman, possibly the mother of Charlie Carleton, who appears in the narrative.
Elizabeth Keith
minor
Also known as Elizabeth
A woman of the Keith family, possibly a relative, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Leoline
minor
Also known as quoth Leoline
A character from a poem or story, referenced in the narrative.
Dr. Macvicar
minor
Also known as Macvicar
A doctor who appears in the narrative, possibly attending to a character.
Papa
minor
Also known as Papa
A father figure, possibly of one of the main characters, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Mrs. Morris
minor
Also known as tearful Mrs. Morris
A woman, possibly the mother of Mary Morris, who appears in the narrative.
Dr. Long
minor
Also known as Dr. Long
A doctor who appears in the narrative, possibly attending to a character.
Fanny Curtis
minor
Also known as Fanny, poor Fanny, Curtis
A young woman, possibly a relative of Rachel, who appears in the narrative.
Uncle Colin
minor
Also known as Uncle Colin
An uncle of one of the main characters, possibly of the Keith family.
Wilfred
minor
Also known as Little Wilfred, little Wilfred
A young boy, possibly a child in the narrative, who appears briefly.
Zack
minor
Also known as Zachary
A man, possibly a servant or acquaintance, who appears in the narrative.
Ranger
minor
Also known as Ranger
A dog or a person, possibly a servant, who appears in the narrative.
Alexander Clare
minor
Also known as Alexander
A man, possibly a relative of Mr. Clare, who appears in the narrative.
Richard Maddox
minor
Also known as Richard, Maddox
A man, possibly a relative of Mr. Maddox, who appears in the narrative.
Major Keith
minor
Also known as the Major, Keith
A military officer of the Keith family, possibly a relative of Colonel Keith.
Stephana Temple
minor
Also known as little Stephana, Stephana
A young girl, possibly a relative of Lady Temple, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Davison
minor
Also known as that good Mr. Davison
A man, possibly a clergyman or friend, who appears in the narrative.
Mrs. Grey
minor
Also known as Mrs. Grey
A woman, possibly the wife of Mr. Grey, who appears in the narrative.
Master Alick
minor
Also known as Alick
A young boy, possibly a younger version of Alick Keith, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Carleton
minor
Also known as young Carleton
A man, possibly the father of Charlie Carleton, who appears in the narrative.
Cyril
minor
Also known as little Cyril
A young boy, possibly a child in the narrative, who appears briefly.
Mr. Frampton
minor
Also known as Mr. Frampton
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Augustus
minor
Also known as Augustus
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Julia
minor
Also known as Julia
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Mr. Villars
minor
Also known as Villars, the obliging Mr. Villars
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Nurse Jones
minor
Also known as Nurse Jones
A nurse who appears in the narrative, possibly caring for a child.
Mr. Beechum
minor
Also known as Beechum
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Joe
minor
Also known as Joe
A man, possibly a servant or acquaintance, who appears in the narrative.
Lucy Mitchell
minor
Also known as Lucy
A young woman, possibly a relative of Mr. Mitchell, who appears in the narrative.
Jessie Douglas
minor
Also known as Jessie Douglas
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Mr. Murray
minor
Also known as Mr. Murray
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Martin
minor
Also known as This Martin
A man, possibly a servant or acquaintance, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Spicer
minor
Also known as Poor Mr. Spicer
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Miss Grey
minor
Also known as Miss Grey
A young woman, possibly a relative of Mr. Grey, who appears in the narrative.
Francis Temple
minor
Also known as Francis
A man, possibly a relative of Lady Temple, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Dean
minor
Also known as Mr. Dean
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a clergyman or friend.
Isabel Menteith
minor
Also known as Menteith, Isabel
A woman, possibly a relative of Mrs. Comyn Menteith, who appears in the narrative.
