Character guide

Mr. Harding

major

Also known as Harding, Mr. Warden Harding, The Warden, Warden, X Tribulation Mr. Harding

The gentle, music-loving warden of Hiram's Hospital, caught in a legal and moral crisis.

John Bold

major

Also known as Bold, this John Bold, John, And Bold, Poor Bold

A young reformer who challenges the hospital's finances, later torn by love for Eleanor.

Eleanor Harding

major

Also known as Eleanor, Poor Eleanor, Nelly, Miss Eleanor

Mr. Harding's devoted daughter, caught between her father and her suitor John Bold.

Dr. Grantly

major

Also known as The Rev. Dr. Theophilus Grantly, The Rev. Theophilus Grantly, Dr. Grantly, Theophilus, Archdeacon Grantly, Archdeacon Theophilus Grantly, V Dr. Grantly

The ambitious archdeacon and Mr. Harding's son-in-law, who pushes for legal resistance.

Tom Towers

supporting

Also known as Towers, XV Tom Towers

A powerful journalist for The Jupiter who influences public opinion against the warden.

Mr. Bunce

supporting

Also known as Bunce, The great Bunce, old Bunce, Master Bunce, Poor Bunce, Here Bunce, poor old Bunce

A loyal bedesman at Hiram's Hospital who supports Mr. Harding throughout the crisis.

Mary Bold

supporting

Also known as Mary, Poor Mary Bold, Bold, poor old Bell, Bell

John Bold's sister and Eleanor's confidante, who helps mediate the romantic conflict.

Abel Handy

supporting

Also known as Handy, Well Handy

A discontented bedesman who leads the agitation against Mr. Harding.

Sir Abraham Haphazard

supporting

Also known as Sir Abraham

The Attorney General consulted by Dr. Grantly about the hospital legal case.

John Hiram

minor

Also known as Hiram, old Hiram, old John Hiram, the late John Hiram

The medieval founder of Hiram's Hospital, whose will is central to the dispute.

Job Skulpit

minor

Also known as Skulpit, Job, neighbour Skulpit

A weak-willed bedesman who wavers between supporting Handy and the warden.

Mrs. Grantly

minor

Mr. Harding's elder daughter and the archdeacon's wife, who supports her father.

Mr. Chadwick

minor

Also known as The present Mr. Chadwick, Chadwick

The bishop's steward who manages the hospital's financial affairs.

Jonathan Crumple

minor

Also known as Jonathan, Crumple

A bedesman who joins the protest against Mr. Harding.

Greg y Moody

minor

Also known as Moody, the avaricious Moody, old Moody

A greedy bedesman among the hospital's pensioners.

Dr. Anticant

minor

Also known as Dr. Pessimist Anticant

A satirical Scottish philosopher whose writings influence public opinion.

Mr. Sentiment

minor

Also known as Mr. Popular Sentiment, Sentiment

A popular novelist who writes a story attacking the hospital system.

Mr. Finney

minor

Also known as Finney, attorney Finney, Attorney Finney

A local attorney who represents the bedesmen in their legal claim.

Samuel

minor

Also known as Sammy, little Sammy

A young bedesman's son who appears briefly at the hospital.

William Gazy

minor

Also known as old Billy Gazy, Old Billy Gazy, Bill Gazy, Billy, Billy Gazy

An elderly bedesman at Hiram's Hospital.

Susan Harding

minor

Also known as Susan

Mr. Harding's younger daughter who lives with him at the hospital.

Mathew Spriggs

minor

Also known as Spriggs, neighbour Spriggs

A bedesman who participates in the hospital protest.

Mr. Quiverful

minor

Also known as Quiverful

A poor clergyman who hopes to succeed Mr. Harding as warden.

Bishop of Barchester

minor

Also known as Bishop

The elderly bishop who presides over the diocese and hospital.

Dr. Bold

minor

Also known as old Dr. Bold

John Bold's deceased father, a former physician in Barchester.

Soapy

minor

Also known as dear little Soapy, young Soapy

A young boy mentioned among the hospital's dependents.

Mrs. Goodenough

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing at the hospital.

Grizzel

minor

A bedesman's wife mentioned briefly in the narrative.

Joe Mutters

minor

Also known as Joe

A minor character among the hospital pensioners.

Johnny Bell

minor

Also known as Mary, Johnny Bell

A child mentioned in connection with the Bold household.