Character guide

Silas Lapham

major

Also known as Lapham, Si, Colonel, Colonel Silas Lapham, Colonel Lapham, the Colonel, Mr. Lapham

A self-made paint millionaire struggling to enter Boston high society while facing financial ruin.

Mrs. Lapham

major

Also known as Persis Lapham, Persis Brand, Mis' Lapham, Mrs. S. Lapham

Silas's practical and morally grounded wife who guides her family through social and ethical trials.

Penelope Lapham

major

Also known as Pen, Penelope

The witty, intelligent elder Lapham daughter who becomes entangled in a love triangle with Tom Corey.

Irene Lapham

major

Also known as Miss Irene Lapham, Miss Lapham, Miss Irene, Irene Lapham

The beautiful but naive younger Lapham daughter who believes Tom Corey is courting her.

Tom Corey

major

Also known as young Corey, Corey, Tom

A gentleman's son who defies his class to work for Silas Lapham and falls in love with Penelope.

Bromfield Corey

supporting

Also known as Phillips Corey, old Phillips Corey, the elder Corey

Tom's aristocratic, witty father who lives on inherited wealth and observes the social drama.

Mrs. Corey

supporting

Also known as Anna B. Corey, Anna, Mrs. James Bellingham

Tom's socially ambitious mother who initially opposes the Lapham connection.

Milton K. Rogers

supporting

Also known as Rogers, Milton Rogers, Mr. Rogers

Silas's former business partner who returns to pressure him into a dubious financial deal.

Bartley Hubbard

minor

Also known as Bartley

A journalist who interviews Silas Lapham at the novel's opening and later reappears.

Mr. Sewell

supporting

Also known as Sewell, Mr. and Mrs. Sewell

A Unitarian minister who offers moral counsel to the Laphams and Coreys.

James Bellingham

minor

Also known as Jim Bellingham, Jim, Bellingham, Mr. Bellingham

A Boston Brahmin and Bromfield Corey's brother-in-law who advises on social matters.

Nanny Corey

minor

Also known as Miss Corey, Miss Nanny Corey

Tom Corey's sister, a young society woman who befriends the Lapham girls.

Zerrilla Millon

minor

Also known as Zerrilla, Miss Dewey, Dewey, Z'rilla

A young woman from a poor family who becomes entangled with the Laphams through Rogers.

Jim Millon

minor

Also known as Jim, Millon

A soldier who died in the war, leaving a widow and daughter whom Silas feels obligated to help.

Miss Kingsbury

minor

A wealthy Boston spinster who hosts social events and befriends the Laphams.

Lily Corey

minor

Also known as Lily

Bromfield Corey's unmarried sister who lives with the family.

Walker

minor

Silas Lapham's clerk or assistant at the paint office.

Mr. Seymour

minor

Also known as Seymour

An architect who designs the Laphams' new house on Beacon Street.

Charles Bellingham

minor

Also known as Charles

James Bellingham's son, a young man about town.

Rene

minor

A Frenchman who appears briefly at a Corey dinner party.

Mrs. Rogers

minor

Milton Rogers's wife, mentioned in connection with her husband's schemes.

Marcia

minor

A servant or acquaintance briefly mentioned in the Lapham household.

Dennis

minor

A workman or servant associated with the Lapham paint works.

William

minor

Also known as Uncle William

A relative or family friend of the Coreys mentioned in passing.

Mrs. Millon

minor

Jim Millon's widow, who receives financial help from Silas Lapham.