Character guide

Napoleon

major

Also known as Napoleon, the Bourbons Napoleon, Bonaparte

Frequently cited as the archetypal leader of crowds, embodying prestige and will.

The Speaker

major

Also known as the speaker

The narrative voice analyzing crowd psychology throughout the treatise.

Unknown Narrator

major

Also known as Unknown

First-person pronoun referent guiding the reader through the analysis.

Augereau

supporting

Napoleonic general used as an example of a leader shaped by circumstances.

Taine

supporting

Also known as M. Taine

Historian and philosopher whose ideas on crowds are frequently referenced.

Robespierre

supporting

Revolutionary leader cited as an example of fanatical crowd influence.

Ferdinand de Lesseps

supporting

Also known as de Lesseps

Engineer and diplomat used to illustrate prestige and leadership of crowds.

Crowds

major

Also known as Crowds, Crowds Crowds, Crowds

The collective subject of the book, analyzed as a psychological entity.

The Hero

supporting

Also known as the hero

Archetypal figure revered by crowds, representing idealized leadership.

Barras

minor

French revolutionary politician mentioned in context of crowd dynamics.

Mr. Davey

minor

A specific individual cited in an example of crowd suggestibility.

Caesar

minor

Roman leader used as a historical example of prestige and crowd control.

Maret

minor

French statesman and diplomat referenced in discussions of leadership.

M. Lachaud

minor

Also known as Lachaud

Lawyer cited as an example of oratorical influence on juries.

Muhammad

minor

Prophet used as an example of religious prestige swaying crowds.

M. C⸺

minor

Anonymous figure used in a hypothetical example of crowd behavior.

Buddha

minor

Religious founder cited to illustrate the power of belief over crowds.

Herbert Spencer

minor

Philosopher whose views on society and education are critiqued.

Davoust

minor

Napoleonic marshal mentioned in context of military leadership.

Ghengis Khan

minor

Also known as Ghengis Khan and Tamerlane, Tamerlane

Conqueror used as an example of destructive crowd-led power.

Alexander

minor

Ancient leader cited to illustrate the role of prestige in leadership.

Saint Bartholomew

minor

Also known as Saint Just

Historical figure referenced in discussions of religious crowd violence.

M. Jules Simon

minor

French politician mentioned in analysis of parliamentary crowds.

Felix Pyat

minor

Revolutionary writer cited as an example of crowd-influenced rhetoric.

M. Paul Bourget

minor

Novelist and critic referenced in discussions of social psychology.

Beugnot

minor

Also known as Whereupon Beugnot

French administrator used in an anecdote about crowd behavior.

Voltaire

minor

Philosopher cited as an example of intellectual influence on crowds.

St. George

minor

Saint mentioned in context of religious crowd psychology.

Julian Felix

minor

Historical figure used in an example of crowd suggestibility.

Filibert Chavandret

minor

Also known as Chavandret

Individual cited in a case study of crowd credulity.

Antony

minor

Roman politician referenced in discussions of crowd oratory.

Fustel de Coulanges

minor

Historian cited for his views on the role of tradition in crowds.

M. Adolphe Guillot

minor

French magistrate mentioned in analysis of criminal crowds.

Comrade X

minor

Also known as X, Comrade X

Anonymous figure used in a hypothetical example of crowd behavior.

Jesus

minor

Religious figure cited to illustrate the power of faith over crowds.

Tiberius

minor

Roman emperor used as an example of despotic crowd manipulation.

M. Berard des Glajeux

minor

Also known as M. des Glajeux

French official cited in a case study of crowd psychology.

Victor Hugo

minor

Writer referenced in discussions of the imagination of crowds.

Edgar Quinet

minor

Historian and politician cited in analysis of crowd beliefs.

M. D’Harcourt

minor

Diplomat mentioned in an example of crowd prestige.