The Perennial Bachelor · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Perennial Bachelor by Anne Parrish.
Maggie Campion
major
Also known as May, Miss Maggie, Miss May, Marie, May Campion, little May
The perennial bachelor's sister, central to the family drama and romantic entanglements.
Victor Campion
major
Also known as Victor, Campion, Little Victor, Cousin Victor, the elder Mr. Campion
The perennial bachelor himself, whose indecision about marriage drives the plot.
Mamma Campion
major
Also known as Mamma, XI Mamma
The Campion matriarch, concerned with her children's marriages and social standing.
Lily Campion
supporting
Also known as Lillie, Fat little Lily, Miss Lily, Poor Lily, Lily
Victor's sister, often overshadowed but involved in family dynamics.
Aunt Priscilla
supporting
Also known as Priscilla, Poor Priscilla, Poor Aunt Priscilla
An elderly aunt with strong opinions and a distinctive way of speaking.
Lucy Hawthorn
supporting
Also known as Lucy, Hawthorn, XX Twice Lucy
A young woman connected to the Campion circle, possibly a romantic interest.
Edward Post
supporting
Also known as Edward, Teddy, XVI Edward
A suitor or family friend, involved in the social dynamics of the novel.
Daisy Blow
minor
Also known as Daisy, Maggie
A character with a name suggesting innocence, possibly a contrast to others.
Mr. Alfred Lacey
supporting
Also known as Mr. Lacey, Alfred, kind Mr. Lacey, the rich Mr. Lacey
A wealthy gentleman, possibly a suitor or financial figure in the plot.
Margaret Southmayd
supporting
Also known as Margaret
A woman whose name appears frequently, possibly a narrator or key figure.
Papa
minor
The father figure in the Campion household, often referenced.
Cousin Lizzie
supporting
Also known as Lizzie, Cousin Lizzie Blow, Lizzie Blow, Elizabeth, Betty
A cousin with a significant role in family gatherings and gossip.
Margery Page
minor
Also known as Maggie
A character possibly confused with Maggie, but distinct in the narrative.
Miss Snaith
minor
A woman with a recurring presence, possibly a governess or companion.
Airy Fairy Lilian
minor
Also known as Lily, Lil-lee, Lily pet
A poetic or whimsical figure, possibly a nickname for a character.
Uncle Willie
minor
Also known as Willie
An uncle, possibly with a jovial or problematic personality.
Mr. Robinson
minor
A gentleman mentioned in the social circle, possibly a suitor or friend.
Mrs. Hawthorn
minor
Lucy's mother, part of the family network.
Mr. Menjou
minor
A character with a French-sounding name, possibly a visitor or local.
Albert Leaf
minor
Also known as Robert Leaf, Robert
A member of the Leaf family, possibly a suitor or relative.
Prentice Page
minor
Also known as Prentice
A member of the Page family, possibly a young man with a role.
Miss Judy O'Connor
minor
A woman with an Irish name, possibly a servant or local character.
Mr. Page
minor
Also known as Old Mr. Page, old Mr. Page
The patriarch of the Page family, possibly a neighbor.
Cousin Daisy
minor
Also known as Daisy, Maggie
Another cousin named Daisy, possibly confused with Daisy Blow.
Miss Hopper
minor
Also known as Hopper
A woman with a recurring presence, possibly a spinster or friend.
Mrs. Mittendorf
minor
A married woman in the social circle, possibly a neighbor.
Fannie Leaf
minor
Also known as Fannie, pretty Fannie, Poor old Fannie
A member of the Leaf family, possibly with a romantic subplot.
Fannie Page
minor
Also known as Frances, little Francie, Fannie
A young woman from the Page family, possibly a friend of the Campions.
Willie Fitzgibbons
minor
A young man, possibly a suitor or local character.
Old Mother
minor
Also known as Mother Hubbard, Mother
A generic older woman, possibly a servant or local figure.
Martha Washington
minor
Also known as Martha, Washington
A historical name-drop, possibly used in a tableau or conversation.
Miss Hessie Farley
minor
Also known as Miss Hessie, Hessie, Hessie Farley, XII Miss Hessie Farley
A young woman with a name suggesting a specific role in the plot.
Miss Campion
minor
An unmarried Campion woman, possibly a sister or aunt.
Mr. Neff
minor
A gentleman mentioned in the social circle.
Poor Victor
minor
Also known as Victor
Victor Campion, referred to with pity in certain contexts.
The Campions
minor
Also known as Willie, the Willie Campions, Will, Freddie
The extended Campion family, often referred to collectively.
Frank
minor
A character with a common name, possibly a servant or friend.
Cousin Sam
minor
Also known as Sam, Sammy
A cousin, possibly with a jovial or problematic personality.
Mrs. Leaf
minor
The matriarch of the Leaf family.
Jesus
minor
Also known as Lord Jesus
A religious reference, possibly in prayer or conversation.
Mrs. Jenkins
minor
A married woman, possibly a servant or neighbor.
Miss Proctor
minor
A woman with a recurring presence, possibly a teacher or companion.
Dorothy Spear
minor
Also known as Dorothy
A young woman, possibly a friend or romantic interest.
Old Chloe
minor
Also known as Chloe
An older woman, possibly a servant with a name.
Cousin Jennie Blodgett
minor
Also known as Cousin Jennie, Jennie
A cousin with a specific surname, possibly married.
Pompon
minor
A pet or a character with a whimsical name.
Trusty
minor
Also known as And Trusty, black Trusty
A dog or a loyal servant, possibly named Trusty.
Old Toot
minor
Also known as Toot, Old Toot
A character with a nickname, possibly a child or elderly person.
Carpus
minor
A character with an unusual name, possibly a servant or foreigner.
Marcel
minor
A character with a French name, possibly a servant or visitor.
Mr. Marshall
minor
A gentleman mentioned in the social circle.
Poor May
minor
Also known as May, Poor Maggie, Maggie
Maggie Campion, referred to with pity in certain contexts.
Lady Peggy
minor
Also known as May, Maggie
A character with a title, possibly a nickname for Maggie.
Marie Antoinette
minor
Also known as May
A historical figure, possibly referenced in a tableau.
Miss Lola
minor
Also known as Dolly, Lo
A woman with a stage name or nickname, possibly a performer.
Isabel Leaf
minor
Also known as Isabel, Leaf
A member of the Leaf family, possibly a young woman.
John
minor
Also known as Jackie Coogan
A common name, possibly a servant or child.
Mr. Thompson
minor
Also known as Thompson
A gentleman mentioned in the social circle.
Mrs. Spear
minor
The matriarch of the Spear family.
Sam Blow
minor
Also known as Sam, Mrs. Blow, Mrs. Sam Blow
A member of the Blow family, possibly married to Daisy.
Lossie
minor
A character with a nickname, possibly a child or pet.
Jake
minor
Also known as Jacob
A common name, possibly a servant or laborer.
Mr. Bates
minor
A gentleman mentioned in the social circle.
Edward
minor
A character with a common name, possibly Edward Post.
Allen Jermayne
minor
Also known as Jermayne, Captain Allen Jermayne, Captain Jermayne
A captain, possibly a military man or sailor.
Miss Martin
minor
A woman with a recurring presence, possibly a teacher or companion.
Stewy Grant
minor
Also known as Stewy
A character with a nickname, possibly a young man.
Carter Thompson
minor
Also known as Carter
A member of the Thompson family, possibly a young man.
Caesar
minor
A historical name, possibly a pet or servant.
Jo
minor
Also known as Aunt Jo, lame Joseph, Josie
A character with a nickname, possibly a relative.
Mrs. Clark
minor
Also known as old Mrs. Clark
A married woman, possibly a neighbor.
Mercy
minor
Also known as mercy
A character with a virtue name, possibly a servant.
Cobina
minor
A character with an unusual name, possibly a socialite.
Margaret Campion
minor
Also known as Margaret
A Campion with the full name, possibly Maggie's formal name.
Lassie
minor
Also known as little Lassie
A pet dog, possibly a collie.
Mr. Post
minor
Also known as Post
A member of the Post family, possibly Edward's father.
Lily Langtry
minor
Also known as Lily
A historical figure, possibly referenced in conversation.
Bump
minor
A character with a nickname, possibly a child.
Father Nelson
minor
Also known as Father
A priest, possibly a local clergyman.
Mr. Baron
minor
A gentleman mentioned in the social circle.
Dolly
minor
Also known as Dora, Dotty, Dot
A character with a nickname, possibly a young woman.
Homer
minor
A historical name, possibly referenced in a literary context.
Madame de Griche
minor
A French woman, possibly a visitor or acquaintance.
Henry Allen
minor
Also known as Henry, Uncle Henry Allen
An uncle, possibly with a specific role in the family.
Mr. B.
minor
A gentleman referred to by initial, possibly to hide identity.
Emily
minor
Also known as Em, Emma, Emmie Holly
A character with a common name, possibly a friend or relative.
Mr. Almond
minor
Also known as Mr. and Mrs. Almond, Mrs. Almond
A married man, possibly a neighbor.
Miss Perry
minor
Also known as And poor Miss Perry
A woman with a recurring presence, possibly a spinster.
Bonny
minor
A character with a nickname, possibly a child or pet.
Mrs. Willie Campion
minor
Also known as Mrs. Campion
The wife of Willie Campion, possibly a sister-in-law.
Sir Lancelot
minor
Also known as Lancelot
A legendary figure, possibly referenced in a tableau.
Mrs. Latter
minor
Also known as old Mrs. Latter
An older married woman, possibly a neighbor.
Bessie Schmalsweiden
minor
Also known as Bessie
A character with a German-sounding surname, possibly a servant.
Mr. Craig
minor
A gentleman mentioned in the social circle.
Gregory Hart
minor
Also known as Gregory, Greg
A character with a common name, possibly a suitor.
Frances Brincklerbee
minor
Also known as The Perennial Bachelor, the Bachelor
A character whose name appears in the title, possibly a pseudonym.
Dr. Chase
minor
Also known as Dr. Livingstone
A doctor, possibly a historical reference.
Brownie
minor
A character with a nickname, possibly a child or pet.
Mrs. Farley
minor
The mother of Miss Hessie Farley.
Mrs. Webster
minor
A married woman, possibly a neighbor.
Mrs. Pennock
minor
A married woman, possibly a neighbor.
Ping Wing
minor
A character with a Chinese-sounding name, possibly a servant.
Mr. Duncan
minor
A gentleman mentioned in the social circle.
Maggie
minor
A character with a common name, possibly Maggie Campion.
Bayard Spears
minor
Also known as the rich Bayard Spears, the Spears
A wealthy member of the Spears family.
Wellington Carter
minor
A character with a full name, possibly a historical reference.
Stella
minor
A character with a name meaning star, possibly a young woman.
