Character guide

John Jasper

major

Also known as Mr. Jasper, Jasper, Friend John Jasper, the Choirmaster, Mister Jarsper, Mr. Jarsper, Jarsper

Choirmaster of Cloisterham Cathedral, opium addict, and uncle to Edwin Drood; central figure in the mystery.

Rosa Bud

major

Also known as Miss Rosa Bud, Miss Bud, Miss Rosa, Rosa, Pussy, Miss Pussy, little Rosebud, Rosebud, Miss Rosebud

Orphaned young woman, Edwin Drood's betrothed, later pursued by Jasper; central to the plot.

Edwin Drood

major

Also known as young Drood, Edwin, Master Edwin, Ned, Edwin Drood, Mr. Edwin Drood, Eddy, Mr. Drood, Master Eddy, Dear Eddy, Edward

Young engineer, Rosa's fiancé, Jasper's nephew; disappears under mysterious circumstances.

Neville Landless

major

Also known as Mr. Neville, Neville, Neville Landless, young Landless, Mr. Landless, Mr. Neville Landless

Hot-tempered young man from Ceylon, suspected of Edwin's murder; later becomes a student.

Helena Landless

supporting

Also known as Helena, Miss Helena Landless, Miss Helena, Miss Landless

Neville's strong-willed twin sister, protective of her brother; later becomes Rosa's companion.

Mr. Grewgious

major

Also known as Grewgious, Angular Mr. Grewgious

Angular, dry London lawyer, guardian of Rosa Bud; investigates Edwin's disappearance.

Septimus Crisparkle

supporting

Also known as Mr. Crisparkle, Minor Canon, the good Minor Canon, Crisparkle, Canon, the Reverend Septimus Crisparkle, the Reverend Septimus, Septimus, Reverend Mr. Septimus, the Reverend Mr. Septimus, the Rev. Mr. Septimus

Kind-hearted Minor Canon of Cloisterham, friend and supporter of Neville Landless.

Thomas Sapsea

supporting

Also known as Mr. Thomas Sapsea, Mr. Sapsea, Sapsea, Mister Sapsea

Pompous, self-important auctioneer and Mayor of Cloisterham; later becomes an Eight Club member.

Durdles

supporting

Also known as Stony Durdles, Stony, The Stony One, Mr. Durdles

Stonemason and tomb-maker in Cloisterham, familiar with the cathedral crypt; guides Jasper at night.

Mr. Datchery

supporting

Also known as Said Mr. Datchery

Mysterious stranger who arrives in Cloisterham after Edwin's disappearance, seemingly investigating.

Miss Twinkleton

supporting

Also known as Twinkleton, the erudite Miss Twinkleton

Headmistress of the Nuns' House, Rosa's school; fond of literary quotations and propriety.

Mr. Tartar

supporting

Also known as Tartar, Behold Mr. Tartar

Retired naval officer, neighbor of Crisparkle; becomes a friend and protector to Neville.

Bazzard

minor

Also known as Mr. Bazzard, the Bazzard

Clerk to Mr. Grewgious, with literary aspirations; appears at the office and later in Cloisterham.

Mrs. Billickin

minor

Also known as Billickin, the Billickin, The Billickin

Landlady of a lodging house in London, where Rosa and Helena stay; quarrelsome but protective.

Mr. Honeythunder

minor

Also known as Honeythunder

Loud, self-righteous philanthropist and guardian of the Landless twins; later a magistrate.

Mr. Tope

minor

Also known as Tope, Mrs. Tope, the tearful Mrs. Tope, Mr. and Mrs. Tope

Cathedral verger and his wife; minor servants of the cathedral community.

Deputy

minor

Street urchin who taunts Durdles and Jasper; appears around the cathedral and graveyard.

Jack Chinaman

minor

Also known as Said Chinaman, the Chinaman, The Chinaman, Jack, dear Jack, Dear old Jack

Opium dealer in London, where Jasper has his visions; appears in the opening scene.

Kimber

minor

Jailer or officer in Cloisterham, involved in the arrest of Neville Landless.

Joe Tyler

minor

Also known as Joe

Minor character, possibly a servant or worker in Cloisterham; mentioned briefly.

Mrs. Tisher

minor

Also known as one Mrs. Tisher, the departed Tisher, Tisher

Companion or assistant at Miss Twinkleton's school; mentioned as having departed.

Miss Brobity

minor

Mentioned as a former pupil or teacher at the Nuns' House; not a major presence.

Peter the Wild Boy

minor

Historical figure mentioned in passing, not a character in the narrative.

Poker

minor

Nickname for a minor character, possibly a servant or worker; not clearly identified.

Mr. Peartree

minor

Also known as Peartree

Minor character, possibly a tradesman or resident of Cloisterham.

Mrs. Crisparkle

minor

Mother of Septimus Crisparkle, a widow living with her son.

Miss Ferdinand

minor

Also known as the daring Miss Ferdinand

One of the girls at Miss Twinkleton's school, mentioned among Rosa's companions.

P. J. T.

minor

Initials appearing in a note or inscription, possibly a clue in the mystery.

The Lascar

minor

Also known as Lascar

Another opium addict in the London den, seen by Jasper; not a major character.

Monsieur La Fontaine

minor

Also known as Monsieur La

Mentioned as a foreign visitor or name-drop; not a developed character.

Mr. Lobley

minor

Also known as Lobley

Minor character, possibly a boatman or worker in Cloisterham.

The Dean

minor

Also known as The Very Reverend the Dean, Dean

Dean of Cloisterham Cathedral, a background authority figure.

The Late Mrs. Sapsea

minor

Also known as Mrs. Sapsea

Deceased wife of Thomas Sapsea, mentioned in his self-important recollections.