The Thirty-Nine Steps · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan.
Richard Hannay
major
Also known as Hannay, Mr. Hannay, Mr. Richard Hannay
The narrator and protagonist, a mining engineer who becomes entangled in a spy plot.
Mr. Scudder
supporting
Also known as Scudder, little Scudder, Franklin P. Scudder, Franklin Scudder
An American who reveals a conspiracy to Hannay before being murdered.
Sir Walter Bullivant
supporting
Also known as Sir Walter, Bullivant
A high-ranking British intelligence officer who aids Hannay.
Sir Harry
minor
Also known as Harry
A friend of Hannay who provides assistance and shelter.
Mr. Turnbull
minor
Also known as Turnbull
A farmer who gives Hannay a ride and later helps him.
Karolides
minor
Also known as Constantine Karolides, Constantine, the virtuous Karolides
A Greek statesman whose assassination is part of the conspiracy.
General Royer
minor
Also known as Royer
A French general involved in the international plot.
Whittaker
minor
A journalist who helps Hannay in his escape.
Paddock
minor
A servant at the inn who assists Hannay.
Scaife
minor
Also known as So Scaife
A detective pursuing Hannay.
Peter Pienaar
supporting
Also known as old Peter Pienaar, Peter
An old friend of Hannay, a Boer scout who aids him.
General Winstanley
minor
Also known as Winstanley
A British general involved in the conspiracy investigation.
Lord Alloa
minor
Also known as Alloa
A British lord whose identity is used by the conspirators.
Bob
minor
A friend of Hannay who helps him in London.
Twisdon
minor
Also known as old Tommy Twisdon
An old friend of Hannay who provides a hiding place.
Marmaduke Jopley
minor
Also known as Jopley, Mr. Jopley, Mr. Marmaduke Jopley
A young man who unwittingly helps Hannay escape.
Marmie
minor
A nickname for Marmaduke Jopley, used by his friends.
MacGillivray
minor
Also known as Mr. MacGillivray
A police inspector involved in the manhunt for Hannay.
Ned Ainslie
minor
Also known as Ainslie
A friend of Hannay who helps him in London.
Mr. Appleton
minor
A man whose identity Hannay borrows while on the run.
Thomas Arthur Nelson
minor
Also known as Tommy
A young man who helps Hannay during his escape.
