# The Mystery of Edwin Drood — Character guide

> Key figures in The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens.

- [John Jasper](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/john_jasper.md): Choirmaster of Cloisterham Cathedral, opium addict, and uncle to Edwin Drood; central figure in the mystery.
- [Rosa Bud](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/rosa_bud.md): Orphaned young woman, Edwin Drood's betrothed, later pursued by Jasper; central to the plot.
- [Edwin Drood](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/edwin_drood.md): Young engineer, Rosa's fiancé, Jasper's nephew; disappears under mysterious circumstances.
- [Neville Landless](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/neville_landless.md): Hot-tempered young man from Ceylon, suspected of Edwin's murder; later becomes a student.
- [Helena Landless](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/helena_landless.md): Neville's strong-willed twin sister, protective of her brother; later becomes Rosa's companion.
- [Mr. Grewgious](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/hiram_grewgious.md): Angular, dry London lawyer, guardian of Rosa Bud; investigates Edwin's disappearance.
- [Septimus Crisparkle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/septimus_crisparkle.md): Kind-hearted Minor Canon of Cloisterham, friend and supporter of Neville Landless.
- [Thomas Sapsea](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/thomas_sapsea.md): Pompous, self-important auctioneer and Mayor of Cloisterham; later becomes an Eight Club member.
- [Durdles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/durdles.md): Stonemason and tomb-maker in Cloisterham, familiar with the cathedral crypt; guides Jasper at night.
- [Mr. Datchery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mr_datchery.md): Mysterious stranger who arrives in Cloisterham after Edwin's disappearance, seemingly investigating.
- [Miss Twinkleton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/miss_twinkleton.md): Headmistress of the Nuns' House, Rosa's school; fond of literary quotations and propriety.
- [Mr. Tartar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mr_tartar.md): Retired naval officer, neighbor of Crisparkle; becomes a friend and protector to Neville.
- [Bazzard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/bazzard.md): Clerk to Mr. Grewgious, with literary aspirations; appears at the office and later in Cloisterham.
- [Mrs. Billickin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mrs_billickin.md): Landlady of a lodging house in London, where Rosa and Helena stay; quarrelsome but protective.
- [Mr. Honeythunder](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mr_honeythunder.md): Loud, self-righteous philanthropist and guardian of the Landless twins; later a magistrate.
- [Mr. Tope](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/tope.md): Cathedral verger and his wife; minor servants of the cathedral community.
- [Deputy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/deputy.md): Street urchin who taunts Durdles and Jasper; appears around the cathedral and graveyard.
- [Jack Chinaman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/jack_chinaman.md): Opium dealer in London, where Jasper has his visions; appears in the opening scene.
- [Kimber](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/kimber.md): Jailer or officer in Cloisterham, involved in the arrest of Neville Landless.
- [Joe Tyler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/joe_tyler.md): Minor character, possibly a servant or worker in Cloisterham; mentioned briefly.
- [Mrs. Tisher](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mrs_tisher.md): Companion or assistant at Miss Twinkleton's school; mentioned as having departed.
- [Miss Brobity](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/miss_brobity.md): Mentioned as a former pupil or teacher at the Nuns' House; not a major presence.
- [Peter the Wild Boy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/peter_the_wild_boy.md): Historical figure mentioned in passing, not a character in the narrative.
- [Poker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/poker.md): Nickname for a minor character, possibly a servant or worker; not clearly identified.
- [Mr. Peartree](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/peartree.md): Minor character, possibly a tradesman or resident of Cloisterham.
- [Mrs. Crisparkle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mrs_crisparkle.md): Mother of Septimus Crisparkle, a widow living with her son.
- [Miss Ferdinand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/miss_ferdinand.md): One of the girls at Miss Twinkleton's school, mentioned among Rosa's companions.
- [P. J. T.](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/p_j_t.md): Initials appearing in a note or inscription, possibly a clue in the mystery.
- [The Lascar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/the_lascar.md): Another opium addict in the London den, seen by Jasper; not a major character.
- [Monsieur La Fontaine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/monsieur_la_fontaine.md): Mentioned as a foreign visitor or name-drop; not a developed character.
- [Mr. Lobley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/lobley.md): Minor character, possibly a boatman or worker in Cloisterham.
- [The Dean](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/the_dean.md): Dean of Cloisterham Cathedral, a background authority figure.
- [The Late Mrs. Sapsea](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/the_late_mrs_sapsea.md): Deceased wife of Thomas Sapsea, mentioned in his self-important recollections.

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