# The Good Soldier — Character guide

> Key figures in The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford.

- [Edward Ashburnham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/edward_ashburnham.md): A wealthy English landowner and philandering soldier, central to the novel's tragic love affairs.
- [Leonora Ashburnham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/leonora_ashburnham.md): Edward's devout Catholic wife, who manages his estate and endures his infidelities.
- [Florence Dowell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/florence_dowell.md): The narrator's wife, a manipulative woman with a secret heart condition and hidden affairs.
- [John Dowell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/john_dowell.md): The American narrator, a passive and unreliable observer of the tragic events around him.
- [Nancy Rufford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/nancy_rufford.md): Edward's young ward, whose innocence becomes entangled in the Ashburnhams' marital strife.
- [Maisie Maidan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/maisie_maidan.md): A young woman with a heart condition who becomes Edward's mistress in India.
- [La Dolciquita](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/la_dolciquita.md): A Spanish courtesan with whom Edward has a brief, expensive affair in Monte Carlo.
- [Mrs. Maidan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/mrs_maidan.md): Maisie Maidan's mother, who accompanies her daughter to India.
- [Mr. Hurlbird](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/mr_hurlbird.md): Florence's wealthy, eccentric uncle from whom she inherits a fortune.
- [Mrs. Ashburnham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/mrs_ashburnham_senior.md): Edward's mother, who lives at the family estate Branshaw Teleragh.
- [Mrs. Basil](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/mrs_basil.md): A friend of the Ashburnhams, mentioned in social contexts.
- [Jimmy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/jimmy.md): A young man who accompanies Florence on a trip to Europe before her marriage.
- [Colonel Powys](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/colonel_powys.md): A military friend of Edward's, part of the social circle in India.
- [Colonel Rufford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/colonel_rufford.md): Nancy Rufford's father, a military officer stationed abroad.
- [Carter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/carter.md): A young man who works for the Ashburnhams at Branshaw.
- [Colonel Hervey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/colonel_hervey.md): A military acquaintance of Edward's, mentioned in passing.
- [Major Basil](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/major_basil.md): A military officer and husband of Mrs. Basil.
- [Rodney Bayham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/rodney_bayham.md): A man who eventually marries Nancy Rufford after the novel's events.
- [Mrs. Rufford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/mrs_rufford.md): Nancy Rufford's mother, who lives apart from her husband.
- [Mumford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/mumford.md): An elderly neighbor of the Ashburnhams in England.
- [Julius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/julius.md): A historical figure briefly mentioned in the narrative.
- [Bagshawe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/bagshawe.md): A man who exposes Florence's past indiscretions to Leonora.
- [Mrs. Powys](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/mrs_powys.md): Wife of Colonel Powys, part of the social circle in India.
- [Uncle John](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/uncle_john.md): Florence's uncle, mentioned in her family background.
- [Reggie Hurlbird](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/reggie_hurlbird.md): A relative of Florence's, briefly mentioned.
- [Selmes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/selmes.md): A young man who shows interest in Nancy Rufford.
- [Mrs. Colonel Whelan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/mrs_colonel_whelan.md): A social acquaintance mentioned in the narrative.
- [Colonel Ashburnham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/colonel_ashburnham.md): Edward's father, a military man mentioned in family history.
- [Miss Lupton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_good_soldier_se/characters/miss_lupton.md): A woman Leonora is compared to in her youth.

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