# The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft — Character guide

> Key figures in The Private Papers of Henry Ryecroft by George Gissing.

- [Henry Ryecroft](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/henry_ryecroft.md): The narrator and protagonist, a retired writer reflecting on life in the English countryside.
- [William Shakespeare](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/shakespeare.md): Frequently referenced as a literary touchstone and source of inspiration.
- [Anthony Trollope](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/trollope.md): Mentioned as a fellow writer whose works Ryecroft admires.
- [Charles Dickens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/dickens.md): Referenced as a novelist whose characters and style are discussed.
- [Samuel Johnson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/samuel_johnson.md): Quoted and admired as a moralist and literary figure.
- [Marcus Aurelius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/marcus_aurelius.md): Philosopher-king whose Stoic writings are reflected upon.
- [Goethe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/goethe.md): German poet and thinker cited for his views on nature and art.
- [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/hawthorne.md): American novelist mentioned in literary comparisons.
- [Xenophon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/xenophon.md): Ancient Greek historian and soldier referenced for his writings.
- [Homer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/homer.md): Epic poet whose works are alluded to in reflections on literature.
- [Sir Walter Scott](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/scott.md): Novelist and poet mentioned in passing as a literary figure.
- [Edward Gibbon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/gibbon.md): Historian referenced for his work on the Roman Empire.
- [Pausanias](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/pausanias.md): Ancient Greek geographer mentioned in historical context.
- [Odysseus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/odysseus.md): Homeric hero referenced in literary allusions.
- [Blaise Pascal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/pascal.md): Philosopher and mathematician cited in reflections on thought.
- [Tartuffe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/tartufe.md): Molière's hypocrite character used as a literary reference.
- [Richard Hooker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_private_papers_of_henry_ryecroft_se/characters/hooker.md): Theologian mentioned in discussions of religious thought.

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