The Devil’s Dictionary · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce.
Unknown
major
Also known as me, myself, mine, Myself, Ye
The unnamed narrator and focal character, often using first-person pronouns.
Lord Cadde
supporting
Also known as Cadde, himself
A recurring character and narrator in several definitions.
Old Paunchinello
supporting
Also known as your
A character referenced in definitions, often addressed directly.
John Elmer Pettibone Cajee
supporting
A named character appearing in multiple definitions.
Death
supporting
Also known as G. J. Hearse Death
Personification of death, appearing in several definitions.
James F. Bowman
minor
Also known as Bowman, the late James F. Bowman, himself
A deceased character referenced in definitions.
Andrew Carnegie
minor
Also known as Carnegie the dauntless, Carnegie, your
The famous industrialist, satirized in definitions.
Rev. John Satan
minor
Also known as Satan, himself
A clerical figure named Satan, appearing in definitions.
Dom Pedro
minor
Also known as your, oneself, Your
A character addressed in definitions, possibly the Brazilian emperor.
William Bryan
minor
A character referenced in definitions.
David
minor
Also known as Dave, Himself
Biblical David, referenced in definitions.
Scarabee
minor
A character appearing in definitions.
Satan
minor
Also known as Jack Satan
The Devil, appearing in multiple definitions.
Hearst
minor
William Randolph Hearst, satirized in definitions.
The Dullards
minor
Also known as Dullards, their
A family or group referenced in definitions.
The Master
minor
Also known as the Master, himself
A title character appearing in definitions.
Dear Frank
minor
Also known as your, Your
An addressee in definitions.
Mr. Clark
minor
Also known as Clark, Mr. Clarke
A character appearing in definitions.
An Officer Sent into a Foreign Country
minor
Also known as an officer sent into a foreign country, himself
A character in a definition.
Christ
minor
Jesus Christ, referenced in definitions.
Homer
minor
The ancient Greek poet, referenced in definitions.
Pharaoh
minor
Also known as Pharaoh the Immune
Biblical Pharaoh, referenced in definitions.
Infralapsarians
minor
Also known as their
A theological group referenced in definitions.
Col. Bryan
minor
A military figure referenced in definitions.
Nero
minor
Also known as Rome, Nero Rome, your
The Roman emperor, referenced in definitions.
Dr. Meir Witchell
minor
Also known as Your
A doctor character appearing in definitions.
Baal
minor
Ancient deity, referenced in definitions.
Juno
minor
Also known as herself
Roman goddess, referenced in definitions.
Silly Old Quilly Old Monarch of Thought
minor
Also known as Thought
A character in a definition.
Shakespeare
minor
The playwright, referenced in definitions.
Twaddle
minor
Also known as himself
A character appearing in definitions.
Dr. Snedeker
minor
Also known as the erudite Dr. Snedeker, himself
An erudite doctor character in definitions.
Aristotle
minor
The philosopher, referenced in definitions.
Mr. Joy
minor
Also known as Joy
A character appearing in definitions.
General Barry
minor
Also known as Barry
A military figure in definitions.
Father Gassalasca Jape
minor
Also known as Father Jape, the ingenious Father Gassalasca Jape, the reverend Father Gassalasca Jape
A clergyman character appearing in definitions.
B
minor
A letter personified in definitions.
Moses
minor
Also known as the Egyptian, Moses Who slew the Egyptian
Biblical prophet, referenced in definitions.
Old Nick
minor
Also known as Nick, Your
A name for the Devil, appearing in definitions.
Rochebriant
minor
Also known as your
A character referenced in definitions.
Kosciusko
minor
Polish general, referenced in definitions.
Professor Howison
minor
Also known as Howison
A professor character in definitions.
Sirrahs
minor
Also known as ye, Ye
A group addressed in definitions.
Poor Isabella
minor
Also known as Bel
A character in definitions.
Dr. Samuel Johnson
minor
Also known as Dr. Johnson, Johnson, me—I’m
The lexicographer, referenced in definitions.
Zeno
minor
Greek philosopher, referenced in definitions.
Angel
minor
Also known as The Angel, your
A celestial being in definitions.
Caesar
minor
Also known as Julius Caesar, himself
Roman dictator, referenced in definitions.
Lecturer One
minor
A lecturer character in definitions.
Plato
minor
Also known as himself
Greek philosopher, referenced in definitions.
Mr. J. J. Owen
minor
Also known as Owen
A character in definitions.
Morryster
minor
A character in definitions.
Zeal
minor
Personification of zeal in definitions.
Jim
minor
Also known as Sad Jamie
A character in definitions.
Clio
minor
Muse of history, referenced in definitions.
Sir Lavender Portwine
minor
A knight character in definitions.
The Devil
minor
Satan, appearing in definitions.
Eve
minor
Biblical first woman, referenced in definitions.
Great Niebuhr
minor
Historian, referenced in definitions.
Slander
minor
Personification of slander in definitions.
Dumble
minor
A character in definitions.
The Greeks
minor
Also known as their
Ancient Greek people, referenced in definitions.
Leo
minor
Also known as Leonard Wood, Leonard
A character in definitions.
Leibnitz
minor
Philosopher, referenced in definitions.
Altgeld
minor
Politician, referenced in definitions.
Denis Kearney
minor
Labor leader, referenced in definitions.
Jijiji Ri
minor
A character in definitions.
General Miles
minor
Also known as himself
Military figure in definitions.
General H. H. Wotherspoon
minor
Also known as General Wotherspoon
Military figure in definitions.
Horizontalists
minor
Also known as the Horizontalists, their, themselves
A group referenced in definitions.
The Shah
minor
Persian ruler, referenced in definitions.
Berenice
minor
A character in definitions.
Cabagius
minor
A character in definitions.
A
minor
A letter personified in definitions.
Solomon
minor
Biblical king, referenced in definitions.
Dragoon
minor
A soldier character in definitions.
Dr. Franklin
minor
Benjamin Franklin, referenced in definitions.
