The Forsyte Saga · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy.
Soames Forsyte
major
Also known as Soames, Mr. Soames, Mr. Soames Forsyte, Mr. Forsyte, Master Soames, Uncle Soames, Old Soames, Soames Forsyte, the Soames Forsytes
A wealthy solicitor and central Forsyte, obsessed with property and his wife Irene.
Old Jolyon Forsyte
major
Also known as Old Jolyon, Jolyon, Mr. Jolyon Forsyte, Jolyon Forsyte, Uncle Jolyon, old Jolyon Forsyte, the first Jolyon
Patriarch of the Forsyte clan, a man of property and quiet sentiment.
James Forsyte
major
Also known as James, Uncle James, James Forsyte, Mr. James Forsyte, Mr. James, dear James
Soames's anxious and gossipy father, always worrying about money and family.
Irene Forsyte
major
Also known as Irene, Irene Heron, Mrs. Heron, Aunt Irene, Mrs. Irene Heron, Irene Jolyon
Soames's beautiful and unhappy wife, later Jolyon's wife; a figure of passion and tragedy.
June Forsyte
major
Also known as June, Miss June Forsyte, Miss Forsyte, dear June, Auntie June
Old Jolyon's granddaughter, a spirited and loyal young woman with a strong will.
Young Jolyon Forsyte
major
Also known as young Jolyon, Jolyon, Cousin Jolyon, Jolyon Forsyte, the first Mrs. Young Jolyon
Old Jolyon's son, an artist and a man of principle who leaves his first wife.
Philip Bosinney
major
Also known as Bosinney, Phil, Mr. Philip Bosinney, young Bosinney, Philip Baynes Bosinney, this Bosinney
An architect engaged to June, who designs Soames's house and falls for Irene.
Fleur Forsyte
major
Also known as Fleur, Fine Fleur Forsyte, young Fleur, Miss Fleur, Fleur Forsyte, Caprice
Soames's beautiful and determined daughter, central to the later plot.
Jon Forsyte
major
Also known as Jon, Little Jon, little Jon, Master Jon, Mr. Jon, Poor Jon
Young Jolyon and Irene's sensitive son, who falls in love with Fleur.
Winifred Dartie
supporting
Also known as Winifred, Dartie, Winifred Dartie, dear Winifred, Aunt Winifred
James's daughter and Soames's sister, married to the unreliable Montague Dartie.
Montague Dartie
supporting
Also known as Dartie, Montague Dartie, Monty, Mr. Montague Dartie, Mr. and Mrs. Dartie
Winifred's charming but profligate husband, a man of the world.
Val Dartie
supporting
Also known as Val, Val Dartie, Master Val, young Val, young Val Dartie, little Publius Dartie, Cato Publius Valerius
Winifred and Montague's son, a young man with a passion for horses.
Holly Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Holly, little Holly, Miss Holly, Auntie Holly, Holly Forsyte
Young Jolyon's daughter, a gentle and observant girl who later marries Val.
Jolly Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Jolly, little Jolly, Jolly Forsyte, Young Jolly Forsyte
Young Jolyon's son, a spirited boy who dies in the Boer War.
Annette Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Annette, French, Annette French, Annette Soames
Soames's second wife, a beautiful Frenchwoman who gives him a daughter.
Timothy Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Timothy, Mr. Timothy, Uncle Timothy, old Timothy, Timothy Forsyte, Poor Mr. Timothy
A reclusive Forsyte uncle who lives with his sisters and outlives most of the family.
Juley Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Juley, Aunt Juley, Aunts Juley
One of Timothy's spinster sisters, a gentle and gossipy family fixture.
Hester Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Hester, Aunt Hester, dear Hester, Miss Hester
Another of Timothy's spinster sisters, quieter than Juley.
Swithin Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Swithin, Uncle Swithin, Poor old Uncle Swithin, Swithin Forsyte, the bulky Swithin, old Swithin
A portly and pompous Forsyte uncle, a man of fine taste and large appetites.
Roger Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Roger, Uncle Roger, Roger Forsyte, young Roger, poor Roger
A sharp and practical Forsyte uncle, known for his shrewdness.
Nicholas Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Nicholas, Uncle Nicholas, young Nicholas, Nick, Nicholas Forsyte, Mrs. Nicholas Forsyte
A Forsyte uncle, father of many children and a man of property.
Emily Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Emily, Mrs. James, Mrs. James Forsyte
James's wife and Soames's mother, a practical and managing woman.
Aunt Ann Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Aunt Ann, Ann, Anna, Miss Ann Forsyte
The eldest Forsyte aunt, a dignified and fading figure of the old generation.
Michael Mont
supporting
Also known as Michael Mont, Mont, Mr. Michael Mont, Mr. Mont, young Mont, Michael
A young baronet who marries Fleur, a modern and well-meaning man.
Prosper Profond
supporting
Also known as Profond, Monsieur Profond, Prosper Profond, Monsieur Prosper Profond
A cosmopolitan and cynical Armenian, a friend of Annette's family.
George Forsyte
supporting
Also known as George, George Forsyte, Old George Forsyte, old George, Mr. George Forsyde
A flamboyant and witty Forsyte cousin, often making sardonic observations.
Francie Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Francie, Miss Francie Forsyte, Miss Forsyte, Francie Forsyte, Frances, Fanny, Little Francie
A younger Forsyte aunt, known for her artistic and bohemian leanings.
Euphemia Forsyte
supporting
Also known as Euphemia, Euphemia Forsyte
Nicholas's daughter, a sharp-tongued and observant young Forsyte woman.
Imogen Cardigan
supporting
Also known as Imogen, Imogen Thisbe, the inexorable Imogen, Imogen Cardigan
James's granddaughter, a pretty and fashionable young woman.
Septimus Small
minor
Also known as Septimus Small, Mrs. Small, Mrs. Septimus Small, Small
The husband of Aunt Juley, a minor and often-absent figure.
Smither
minor
Also known as Smither, All this Smither
The Forsyte family maid, a loyal and long-serving servant.
Warmston
minor
Also known as Warmston, the withdrawing Warmson
Soames's butler, a discreet and efficient servant.
Bilson
minor
Also known as Bilson, The maid Bilson
A maid in Soames's household, often in the background.
Old Gradman
minor
Also known as Old Gradman, Gradman, old Gradman, Thomas Gradman, the said Thomas Gradman
Soames's faithful and elderly clerk, a keeper of family secrets.
Polteed
minor
Also known as Polteed, Mr. Claud Polteed, Mr. Polteed
A private detective hired by Soames to watch Irene.
Mrs. Macander
minor
Also known as Mrs. Macander, Mrs. MacAnder, Dear Mrs. MacAnder, dear little Mrs. MacAnder
A friend of Irene's who gives evidence in the divorce case.
Balthasar
minor
Also known as Balthasar, the Dog Balthasar Jolyon
Old Jolyon's devoted dog, a constant companion in his later years.
Madame Lamotte
minor
Also known as Madame Lamotte, Madame, Lamotte
Annette's mother, a Frenchwoman who runs a restaurant in Soho.
Jack Cardigan
minor
Also known as Jack Cardigan, Jack
Imogen's husband, a military man with a hearty manner.
Cook
minor
Also known as Cook, Secretly Cook
The Forsyte family cook, a skilled and valued servant.
Mademoiselle Beauce
minor
Also known as Mademoiselle Beauce, Mademoiselle, Mam'zelle Beauce, Beauce, Mam'zelle
Fleur's French governess, a strict and cultured woman.
Boris Strumolowski
minor
Also known as Boris Strumolowski, Boris, Strumolowski, young Strumolowski, Young Strumolowski
A young Polish composer and friend of June's artistic circle.
Eric Cobbley
minor
Also known as Eric Cobbley
A struggling artist supported by June, part of her bohemian set.
Mr. Bellby
minor
Also known as Mr. Bellby, Bellby
Soames's solicitor, a legal advisor in family matters.
Mr. Justice Bentham
minor
Also known as Mr. Justice Bentham, Bentham
The judge presiding over the Bosinney trial.
Dreamer Q.C.
minor
Also known as Dreamer, Dreamer Q.C., Mr. Dreamer
A barrister involved in the Forsyte legal affairs.
Waterbuck
minor
Also known as Waterbuck
A friend of Montague Dartie, part of his racing set.
Bustard
minor
Also known as Bustard
Another friend of Montague Dartie, a man about town.
Tweetyman
minor
Also known as Tweetyman, Marian Tweetyman
A friend of the Forsyte family, mentioned in social contexts.
Susan Hayman
minor
Also known as Susan, Susan Hayman, Hayman, dear Susan
A Forsyte cousin, married into the Hayman family.
Jesse Hayman
minor
Also known as Jesse, Jessie, Jesse Hayman
A member of the Hayman family, related to the Forsytes.
Giles Hayman
minor
Also known as Giles, Giles Hayman
Another Hayman relative, part of the extended family circle.
Nicholas Treffry
minor
Also known as Nicholas Treffry, Treffry, Dear old Nick, The notorious Treffry, Nicholas, Nick
An old friend of the Forsyte family, a man of dubious reputation.
Mr. Baynes
minor
Also known as Mr. Baynes, Baynes, Mrs. Baynes
An architect and colleague of Bosinney's.
Young Chankery
minor
Also known as young Chankery, Chankery, Young Chankery
A young man about town, part of the Dartie social circle.
Paul Post
minor
Also known as Paul, Paul Post, Mr. Paul Post
An artist friend of June's, part of her bohemian circle.
Augustus Flippard
minor
Also known as young Flippard, Augustus Flippard, young Augustus Flippard, Flippard, Augustus
A young man in the Dartie set, a friend of Val's.
Jack Herring
minor
Also known as Jack Herring, Herring, young Herring
A friend of Val's, part of the horse-racing crowd.
Mr. Gathercole
minor
Also known as Mr. Gathercole, Gathercole
A solicitor involved in the family's legal business.
Jobson
minor
Also known as Jobson
A servant or tradesman mentioned in the household.
Parkes
minor
Also known as Parkes
A servant in the Forsyte household.
Adolf
minor
Also known as Adolf
A servant at the Forsyte family home.
Bella
minor
Also known as Bella
A maid or servant in the Forsyte household.
Maud
minor
Also known as Maud, Tilly
A servant or minor character in the household.
Boulter
minor
Also known as Boulter
A servant or tradesman mentioned in passing.
Bodkin
minor
Also known as Bodkin
A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.
Crum Stone
minor
Also known as Crum Stone, Crum, Damn Crum
A friend of Val's, part of the younger set.
Tom Brown
minor
Also known as Tom Brown, Brown
A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.
Dumetrius
minor
Also known as Dumetrius
A dealer or acquaintance in the art world.
Eustace
minor
Also known as Eustace, Eustace , who had never smiled
A minor Forsyte relative, known for his solemnity.
Cicely
minor
Also known as Cicely
A minor female character, possibly a friend or relative.
Rachel Forsyte
minor
Also known as Rachel, Rachel Forsyte
A Forsyte cousin, daughter of one of the uncles.
Julia
minor
Also known as Julia, Mrs. Julia
A minor female character, possibly a friend or relative.
Archibald
minor
Also known as Archibald, Archie
A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.
Pippin
minor
Also known as Pippin
A minor character, possibly a child or servant.
Fred
minor
Also known as Fred
A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.
Hannah Hobdey
minor
Also known as Hannah Hobdey
A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.
Mary Lambe
minor
Also known as Mary Lambe
A minor character, possibly a friend or relative.
Cynthia Dark
minor
Also known as Cynthia Dark, Cynthia
A minor character, possibly a friend of the family.
Lady Baynes
minor
Also known as Lady Baynes, Baynes
The wife of Mr. Baynes, an architect's wife.
The Rev. Thomas Scole
minor
Also known as the Rev. Thomas Scoles, Tommy, Tom, Scoles, Mr. Scole
A clergyman who marries some of the Forsyte family.
Little Mr. Booker
minor
Also known as little Mr. Booker, Little Mr. Booker
A minor character, possibly a tradesman or acquaintance.
The Rev. Mr. Boms
minor
Also known as the Rev. Mr. Boms, The Rev. Mr. Boms
A clergyman mentioned in the family's social circle.
Sir Lamorac de Galis
minor
Also known as Sir Lamorac de Galis, Sir Lamorac
A minor character, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
