Character guide

Isabel Archer

major

Also known as Miss Archer, Miss Isabel Archer, Isabel

A young American woman who inherits a fortune and becomes the central figure of the novel.

Ralph Touchett

major

Also known as Mr. Touchett, Ralph, young Mr. Touchett

Isabel's cousin, a witty and observant invalid who influences her fate.

Madame Merle

major

Also known as Merle

A sophisticated and manipulative American expatriate with a hidden agenda.

Gilbert Osmond

major

Also known as Mr. Osmond, Osmond

A refined but cold and selfish aesthete who marries Isabel.

Lord Warburton

supporting

Also known as Warburton

A wealthy English nobleman who proposes to Isabel.

Caspar Goodwood

supporting

Also known as Mr. Goodwood, Caspar

A persistent and passionate American suitor of Isabel.

Henrietta Stackpole

supporting

Also known as Miss Stackpole, Stackpole

A brash American journalist and Isabel's loyal friend.

Pansy Osmond

supporting

Also known as Pansy, Miss Pansy, little Pansy

Gilbert Osmond's gentle and obedient daughter.

Mrs. Touchett

supporting

Also known as Lydia, Aunt Lydia

Ralph's eccentric and detached mother who brings Isabel to Europe.

Countess Gemini

supporting

Also known as the Countess, Gemini

Osmond's frivolous and gossipy sister.

Edward Rosier

supporting

Also known as Ned Rosier, Mr. Rosier, little Mr. Rosier

A young American collector in love with Pansy.

Mr. Bantling

minor

Also known as Bantling

A good-natured Englishman who courts Henrietta.

Daniel Touchett

minor

Also known as old Mr. Touchett

Ralph's father and Isabel's uncle, a wealthy American banker.

Lilian Ludlow

minor

Also known as Lily, Mrs. Ludlow

Isabel's older sister, married to Edmund Ludlow.

Edmund Ludlow

minor

Also known as Ludlow

Lilian's husband and Isabel's brother-in-law.

Miss Molyneux

minor

Lord Warburton's sister.

Lady Pensil

minor

Also known as Pensil

A minor acquaintance in English society.

Mrs. Luce

minor

An American expatriate living in Florence.

Mr. Luce

minor

Mrs. Luce's husband, a fellow American in Florence.

Amy Osmond

minor

A relative of Gilbert Osmond.

Count Gemini

minor

The Countess Gemini's estranged husband.

Annie Climber

minor

Also known as Miss Climber

A minor social acquaintance in Rome.

Sir Matthew Hope

minor

A doctor attending to Ralph Touchett.

Mrs. Keyes

minor

A minor character in the Albany scenes.

Mrs. Varian

minor

Isabel's aunt in Albany.

Mr. Pratt

minor

A minor acquaintance in Albany.

Bunchie

minor

A dog belonging to the Touchett family.

Mildred

minor

A minor servant or acquaintance.

Edith

minor

A minor social figure mentioned in passing.

Mr. Hilary

minor

A minor character in English society.