Character guide

Lily Bart

major

Also known as Miss Lily Bart, Miss Bart, Lily, Miss Lily

A beautiful and socially ambitious young woman navigating high society in New York.

Lawrence Selden

major

Also known as Selden, Mr. Selden, Lawrence

A lawyer and observer of society, Lily's confidant and romantic interest.

Simon Rosedale

supporting

Also known as Mr. Rosedale, Rosedale, Mr. Simon Rosedale

A wealthy Jewish financier who seeks to marry into high society.

Gerty Farish

supporting

Also known as Gertrude Farish, Miss Farish, Miss Gertrude Farish

Lily's kind and loyal friend, a charitable young woman of modest means.

Bertha Dorset

supporting

Also known as Bertha, Mrs. Bertha Dorset, Bertha Dorset

A manipulative and wealthy socialite who becomes Lily's rival.

Mrs. Peniston

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Peniston, Aunt Julia, Julia

Lily's wealthy and conservative aunt who provides her with a home.

Carry Fisher

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Fisher, Carry, Fisher

A clever social climber and friend who helps navigate society's intrigues.

Percy Gryce

supporting

Also known as Mr. Percy Gryce, Mr. Gryce, Gryce, Percy

A shy, wealthy young man whom Lily considers marrying for security.

Gus Trenor

supporting

Also known as Trenor, Gus, Charles Augustus Trenor

A married financier who lends Lily money and expects favors in return.

George Dorset

supporting

Also known as Mr. George Dorset, George, Dorset, Mr. Dorset

Bertha's long-suffering husband, who is infatuated with Lily.

Judy Trenor

supporting

Also known as Judy, Mrs. Trenor

Gus Trenor's wife and a prominent society hostess.

Grace Stepney

supporting

Also known as Grace, Miss Stepney, Grace Stepney

A poor cousin of Mrs. Peniston who becomes her heir after Lily's fall.

Norma Hatch

minor

Also known as Mrs. Norma Hatch, Mrs. Hatch

A wealthy but vulgar woman from the West who seeks social acceptance.

Jack Stepney

minor

Also known as Jack, Stepney, Mr. Stepney

A society man and cousin to Lily and Grace Stepney.

Lord Hubert Dacey

minor

Also known as Lord Hubert, Dacey

An English aristocrat who visits New York society.

Mrs. Hudson Bart

minor

Also known as Mrs. Bart, Hudson

Lily's mother, who raised her to value wealth and social position.

Mrs. Haffen

minor

Also known as Haffen

A charwoman who tries to blackmail Lily with incriminating letters.

Nettie Struther

minor

Also known as Nettie

A poor young woman whom Lily once helped, offering kindness in return.

Mrs. Wellington Bry

minor

Also known as Mrs. Bry, Louisa Bry, Louisa

A wealthy social climber who hosts lavish parties.

Lady Cressida Raith

minor

Also known as Lady Cressida

An English noblewoman visiting New York society.

Ned Silverton

minor

Also known as Silverton, Ned, young Silverton

A young man of good family but no money, part of the social set.

Ned Van Alstyne

minor

Also known as Mr. Ned Van Alstyne, Van Alstyne, old Ned Van Alstyne

An older gentleman and gossip in New York society.

Evie Van Osburgh

minor

Also known as Evie, Van Osburgh

A young heiress who marries Percy Gryce.

Mattie Gormer

minor

Also known as Mattie, Mrs. Gormer

A wealthy but vulgar woman who befriends Lily for a time.

Mrs. Percy Gryce

minor

Also known as Mrs. Gryce

Percy Gryce's mother, a devout and conservative woman.

Lulu Melson

minor

Also known as Louisa

A minor society figure mentioned in passing.

Mme. Regina

minor

Also known as Regina

A milliner who employs Lily briefly.

Molly Van Alstyne

minor

Also known as Molly

A minor society figure, possibly Ned's relative.

Mrs. Van Osburgh

minor

Also known as Van Osburgh

A society matron and mother of many daughters.

Freddy Van Osburgh

minor

Also known as Freddy

A young man from a wealthy family, part of the social circle.

Gwen Van Osburgh

minor

Also known as Gwen

One of the Van Osburgh daughters.

Paul Morpeth

minor

Also known as Morpeth

A painter and friend of Selden's.

Mr. Wellington Bry

minor

Also known as Mr. Bry, Welly Bry

A wealthy businessman and husband of Mrs. Bry.

Miss Jane Silverton

minor

Also known as Miss Jane

Ned Silverton's sister, a poor relation in society.

Melville Stancy

minor

Also known as Mr. Stancy, Stancy

A minor character mentioned in social contexts.

Alice Wetherall

minor

Also known as Wetherall

A minor society figure.

Miss Kilroy

minor

A minor character mentioned in social scenes.

Herbert Melson

minor

Also known as Melson

A minor society figure.

Miss Haines

minor

A milliner who employs Lily briefly.

Lady Skiddaw

minor

An English aristocrat mentioned in society gossip.

Kate Corby

minor

Also known as Miss Corby

A young woman in the social set, friend of Carry Fisher.

Mme. Céleste

minor

Also known as Céleste

A dressmaker patronized by Lily.

Duchess of Beltshire

minor

Also known as Beltshire

An English duchess visiting New York.

Mr. Dabham

minor

Also known as Dabham, little Dabham

A gossip columnist for a society paper.

Dillworth

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Jefferson Gryce

minor

Also known as old Jefferson Gryce

Percy Gryce's deceased father, a collector of Americana.

Mrs. Wetherall

minor

A minor society matron.

Mrs. Selden

minor

Lawrence Selden's mother, mentioned as deceased.

Mr. Peniston

minor

Also known as the late Mr. Peniston

Mrs. Peniston's deceased husband.

Muriel

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or child.

Hilda

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant.

Gwen Stepney

minor

A relative of the Stepney family.