Character guide

Tom Jones

major

Also known as Master Jones, Mr. Jones, young Mr. Jones, young Jones, poor Mr. Jones, Jones, poor Jones, the conqueror Jones, Thomas, little Tommy, Tommy, Tommy Jones, little Jones, Tom, poor Tom, young Jones

Foundling raised by Squire Allworthy, a passionate and impulsive young man who seeks his fortune and love.

Sophia Western

major

Also known as Miss Sophia Western, Sophia, The amiable Sophia, little Sophia, Miss Sophia, Poor Sophia, the lovely Sophia, the charming Sophia, Sophy, Miss Western, The lovely Sophia, Western, young Madam Sophia, Madam Sophia Western

Beautiful and virtuous daughter of Squire Western, the object of Tom's affection.

Squire Allworthy

major

Also known as Mr. Allworthy, Allworthy, These Mr. Allworthy, one Mr. Allworthy, good Mr. Allworthy, the blessed Mr. Allworthy, Squire Allworthy, the good Squire Allworthy, young Squire Allworthy

Benevolent and wealthy landowner who raises Tom Jones and serves as a moral compass.

Master Blifil

major

Also known as Mr. Blifil, Blifil, Master Blifil, young Blifil, the vanquished Blifil, young Mr. Blifil, Young Blifil

Hypocritical and scheming nephew of Allworthy, Tom's rival for Sophia's hand.

Squire Western

major

Also known as Mr. Western, Western, sister Western, Squire Western, Squire

Blustering, fox-hunting country squire and Sophia's father, obsessed with her marriage.

Mr. Partridge

supporting

Also known as Partridge, the said Partridge, poor Partridge, O Partridge, the ingenious Mr. Partridge

Superstitious schoolmaster and later Tom's loyal, comic companion on his travels.

Mrs. Honour

supporting

Also known as Honour, the friendly Mrs. Honour, The ingenious Mrs. Honour, the good Mrs. Honour

Sophia's devoted and talkative maid who accompanies her on her flight.

Mrs. Miller

supporting

Also known as Jones, Mrs. Miller . Jones, poor Jones, V Mrs. Miller, This Mrs. Miller

Kind-hearted landlady in London who befriends and shelters Tom.

Lady Bellaston

supporting

Also known as the Lady Bellaston, my Lady Bellaston I darst, Bellaston, The Lady Bellaston, my Lady Bellaston

Wealthy, manipulative London society woman who pursues Tom romantically.

Molly Seagrim

supporting

Also known as Seagrim, Molly Seagrim, Moll Seagrim, Moll, lovely Molly, poor Molly, Polly, Miss Molly Seagrim

Promiscuous daughter of Black George, with whom Tom has an early affair.

Mrs. Western

supporting

Also known as Western, Harriet, Harriet Fitzpatrick Mrs. Western, Fitzpatrick

Sophia's sophisticated, opinionated aunt who tries to arrange her marriage.

Mr. Thwackum

supporting

Also known as Thwackum, Mr. Thwackum the divine, the tremendous Thwackum, This Thwackum, Here Thwackum, Neither Thwackum, the Reverend Mr. Thwackum, the said Thwackum, Roger Thwackum

Harsh, dogmatic tutor to Tom and Blifil who favors religious severity.

Mr. Square

supporting

Also known as Square, birch . Square, Thomas Square, Tom, Square

Philosophical tutor to Tom and Blifil, a hypocritical proponent of natural virtue.

Jenny Jones

supporting

Also known as Jenny

Servant girl initially suspected as Tom's mother, later revealed as Mrs. Waters.

Black George

supporting

Also known as poor George, George, the said George, George Seagrim, one George Seagrim

Gamekeeper for Allworthy and father of Molly, who betrays Tom's trust.

Mr. Nightingale

supporting

Also known as Nightingale, old Mr. Nightingale, young Nightingale, young Mr. Nightingale, Old Mr. Nightingale, old Nightingale, Young Nightingale, young Nightingale

Tom's friend in London, a young gentleman who secretly marries Nancy Miller.

Mrs. Waters

supporting

Also known as expedition Mrs. Waters, this Mrs. Waters

Mysterious woman at Upton who has a brief affair with Tom, later revealed as Jenny Jones.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

supporting

Also known as Fitzpatrick, Mr. Brian Fitzpatrick

Jealous Irish husband of Harriet, who pursues his wife and later duels Tom.

Dowling

supporting

Also known as Mr. Dowling, lawyer Dowling

Sly lawyer who holds secrets about Tom's parentage and Blifil's schemes.

Mrs. Deborah Wilkins

minor

Also known as Mrs. Deborah, Deborah, Mrs. Wilkins, Wilkins, This Mrs. Wilkins

Allworthy's prudish, gossipy housekeeper who investigates Tom's birth.

Mrs. Bridget

minor

Also known as Mrs. Blifil, Mrs. Bridget Blifil, Miss Bridget Allworthy, Miss Bridget, Allworthy, Madam Blifil

Allworthy's sister and mother of Tom and Blifil, who marries Captain Blifil.

Lord Fellamar

minor

Also known as Fellamar

Aristocratic suitor of Sophia who attempts to force her into marriage.

Mr. Northerton

minor

Also known as Northerton, ensign Northerton, Ensign Northerton

Rakehell army officer who wounds Tom in a duel and later appears in London.

Miss Nancy

minor

Also known as Nanny, Nancy, O Nancy, Poor Nancy, Miss Nancy Miller, Miss Miller, Dear Nancy, Nancy

Daughter of Mrs. Miller who secretly marries young Nightingale.

Captain Blifil

minor

Also known as Captain John Blifil

Fortune-hunting captain who marries Bridget Allworthy and dies early.

Mr. Supple

minor

Also known as parson Supple, Supple

Easy-going local parson who often mediates disputes.

Little Benjamin

minor

Also known as Benjamin, Little, Mr. Benjamin

Barber who travels with Partridge and is later revealed as Partridge himself.

Mrs. Abigail

minor

Also known as Abigail

Servant to Lady Bellaston who assists in her schemes.

Betty Seagrim

minor

Also known as Betty, little Betsy, Betsy

Sister of Molly Seagrim, involved in a fight with her.

Mrs. Whitefield

minor

Also known as poor Mrs. Whitefield

Innkeeper at the Bell in Gloucester who hosts Tom and Partridge.

Tom Edwards

minor

Also known as Edwards, Tom

Old schoolfellow of Tom who lends him money in London.

Mr. Maclachlan

minor

Also known as Maclachlan

Scottish officer who befriends Tom in the army.

Goody Brown

minor

Also known as Zekiel Brown, Zekiel, Brown

Village woman who testifies about Jenny Jones's character.

Etoff

minor

Also known as Mrs. Etoff

Servant of Lady Bellaston who delivers messages.

Will Barnes

minor

Also known as Barnes, This Will Barnes

Local man who fathers a child with Molly Seagrim.

Goody Seagrim

minor

Mother of Molly and Black George, a poor village woman.

Captain Waters

minor

Husband of Mrs. Waters, an army officer.

Miss Graveairs

minor

Also known as Graveairs

Prudish lady at the inn in Upton who criticizes Sophia.

Mr. Summer

minor

Also known as Summer

Deceased young man revealed to be Tom's father.

Madam Jenny Cameron

minor

Also known as Jenny Cameron

Scottish Jacobite figure briefly mentioned in the rebellion subplot.

Miss Harris

minor

Young lady at a masquerade who dances with Tom.

Colonel Hampsted

minor

Also known as poor Colonel Wilcox, Poor Ned

Acquaintance of Tom in London who dies in a duel.

Broughton

minor

Also known as Mr. Broughton, the excellent Mr. Broughton

Famous boxer who trains Tom in the art of pugilism.

Lawyer Small

minor

Lawyer who assists Dowling in legal matters.

Mr. Derby

minor

Man who sells his commission in the army to Tom.

Mr. Adderly

minor

Also known as Adderly

Officer who accompanies Tom to the masquerade.

Mr. Edwards

minor

Also known as Edwards

Father of Tom Edwards, a gentleman who helps Tom.

Jack Ostler

minor

Also known as Jack

Stable boy at an inn who assists travelers.

Susan

minor

Also known as Susan Chambermaid

Chambermaid at the inn at Upton who gossips about the guests.

Robin

minor

Servant at the inn who helps with horses.

Joe

minor

Servant at the inn who assists Partridge.

Anne

minor

Also known as Nan Slouch, Nanny, Nancy

Village girl mentioned in gossip about Molly Seagrim.

Bobbing Joan

minor

Also known as Joan Top, Joan

Village woman who testifies in a legal matter.

Kate of the Mill

minor

Local woman mentioned in a song or story.

Betty Pippin

minor

Village girl mentioned in passing.

Jemmy Oliver

minor

Local man who marries a woman from the village.

Old Echepole

minor

Local farmer mentioned in village gossip.

Mr. Bayle

minor

Historical figure cited in philosophical discussions.

Lalage

minor

Also known as Miss Lalage

Woman mentioned in a classical allusion.

Mr. Nash

minor

Master of ceremonies in Bath, briefly mentioned.

Lady Thomas Hatchet

minor

Also known as Tom

Woman at the masquerade who dances with Tom.

Mr. Hogarth

minor

Also known as Hogarth

Famous painter referenced in the narrative.

Dr. Y.

minor

Also known as Dr.

Physician who attends Allworthy during his illness.

The Ingenious Mr. Miller

minor

Relative of Mrs. Miller, a writer or scholar.

Nell Gwynn

minor

Historical figure briefly mentioned as an actress.

Prince Charles

minor

Also known as Charles

Jacobite pretender mentioned in the rebellion subplot.

King James

minor

Deposed king referenced in political discussions.

Sir George Gresham

minor

Also known as Sir George

Local gentleman who hosts a hunt.

Francis

minor

Also known as Frank, Mr. Francis

Servant or acquaintance of the Western family.

The French

minor

Also known as Thomas, Tom French, Poor little Tommy, Tommy, Tom

Servant or character referred to as French.

Watson

minor

Also known as Mr. Watson

Acquaintance of Tom in London who falls into debt.

Jemmy Tweedle

minor

Local musician or dancer mentioned in passing.

Pettyfogger

minor

Unscrupulous lawyer who appears in a legal subplot.

Merry-Andrew

minor

Also known as the Merry - Andrew

Clown or jester at a fair, briefly mentioned.

Fisher

minor

Man who fights with Tom at the inn.

The Officer

minor

Army officer who arrests Tom for the duel.

The Doctor

minor

Also known as doctor

Physician who treats various characters.

The Captain

minor

Unnamed army captain who appears in scenes.

The Stranger

minor

Mysterious man who appears at key moments.

The Poor Man

minor

Generic poor man who appears in a scene.

The Schoolmaster

minor

Teacher who appears in a village scene.

The Master

minor

Unnamed master of a household.

A Popish Priest

minor

Catholic priest who appears in a scene.