Character guide

Dr. Primrose

major

Also known as Unknown, your, Your, thee, yourselves, mine

The vicar of Wakefield, narrator and central figure of the novel.

Mr. Thornhill

major

Also known as Thornhill, young Mr. Thornhill, Master Thornhill

A wealthy, rakish squire who courts Olivia and later reveals his villainy.

Mr. Burchell

major

Also known as Burchell, XIII Mr. Burchell

A mysterious, kind-hearted stranger who aids the Primrose family.

Sir William Thornhill

major

Also known as Sir William, Sir, William

The virtuous uncle of Mr. Thornhill, later revealed as Mr. Burchell.

Olivia Primrose

major

Also known as miss Olivia, poor Olivia

The eldest Primrose daughter, courted by Mr. Thornhill.

Sophia Primrose

major

Also known as Sophy, Miss Sophia, miss Sophy

The younger Primrose daughter, gentle and beloved by Sir William.

Moses Primrose

supporting

The eldest Primrose son, naive and fond of learning.

George Primrose

supporting

The second Primrose son, who goes to seek his fortune and later returns.

Mr. Jenkinson

supporting

Also known as Jenkinson

A cunning but ultimately helpful conman who tricks Moses.

Miss Arabella Wilmot

supporting

Also known as Miss Wilmot, Arabella Wilmot

George's beloved, a wealthy heiress courted by Mr. Thornhill.

Deborah Primrose

supporting

Also known as poor Deborah

The vicar's wife, proud and ambitious for her daughters.

Mr. Wilmot

minor

Also known as old Mr. Wilmot

Arabella's father, a clergyman and friend of Dr. Primrose.

Farmer Williams

minor

Also known as Mr. Williams, Williams, honest Mr. Williams, Honest farmer Williams

A respectable farmer who courts Olivia before Mr. Thornhill.

Miss Carolina Wilelmina Amelia Skeggs

minor

Also known as Miss Skeggs, Skeggs

A fashionable lady who visits the Primroses with Lady Blarney.

Lady Blarney

minor

A fashionable acquaintance who visits the Primrose family.

Dick Primrose

minor

Also known as little Dick, brother Dick

One of the younger Primrose children.

Bill Primrose

minor

One of the younger Primrose children.

Matilda Primrose

minor

One of the younger Primrose daughters.

Farmer Flamborough

minor

Also known as Flamborough, neighbour Flamborough, Mr. Flamborough

A neighbor and friend of the Primrose family.

Solomon Flamborough

minor

Also known as one Solomon Flamborough, Honest Solomon

Son of Farmer Flamborough, a simple country lad.

The Miss Flamboroughs

minor

Also known as The poor Miss Flamboroughs, the two Miss Flamboroughs

Daughters of Farmer Flamborough, friends of the Primrose girls.

Mr. Cripse

minor

A lawyer who assists the Primrose family in legal matters.

Edwin

minor

Also known as Ned Thornhill, Thornhill

A minor character, possibly a servant or associate of Mr. Thornhill.

Charles

minor

A servant or acquaintance of the Primrose family.

Abraham

minor

A servant or minor figure in the household.

Timothy Baxter

minor

Also known as Baxter

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

Mr. Arnold

minor

A minor character, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.

Mrs. Arnold

minor

Wife of Mr. Arnold, a minor character.

Mr. Butler

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or official.

Dolly

minor

A minor female character, possibly a servant.

Horatio

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Count Abensberg

minor

A historical figure briefly alluded to, not a character.

Sir Tomkyn

minor

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

Dr. Burdock

minor

A minor character, possibly a physician.

William Whiston

minor

Also known as Whiston

A historical figure referenced, not a character.

Manetho

minor

An ancient historian referenced, not a character.