Character guide

Walter Hartright

major

Also known as Mr. Hartright, Hartright, Water Hartright

Drawing teacher and narrator who becomes entangled in a mystery involving a woman in white.

Marian Halcombe

major

Also known as Miss Halcombe, Halcombe, Dear Marian

Intelligent and loyal half-sister to Laura Fairlie, key to unraveling the conspiracy.

Laura Fairlie

major

Also known as Miss Fairlie, Fairlie, Lady Glyde, Dear Laura

Gentle heiress whose marriage to Sir Percival Glyde sets the plot in motion.

Sir Percival Glyde

major

Also known as Percival, Sir Percival, Glyde

Ruthless baronet with a dark secret, married to Laura Fairlie.

Count Fosco

major

Also known as Fosco, The Count

Charming but sinister Italian nobleman who masterminds the conspiracy.

Anne Catherick

major

Also known as Anne, little Anne Catherick, Nina

Mysterious woman in white who holds the key to Sir Percival's secret.

Frederick Fairlie

supporting

Also known as Mr. Fairlie, Frederick

Invalid, selfish uncle of Laura and Marian, owner of Limmeridge House.

Madame Fosco

supporting

Also known as Fosco, Countess Fosco

Cold, silent wife of Count Fosco and former friend of Marian.

Professor Pesca

supporting

Also known as Pesca, Mr. Pesca

Italian language teacher and friend of Walter Hartright.

Mrs. Catherick

supporting

Also known as Catherick

Anne's mother, a secretive woman with knowledge of Sir Percival's past.

Mr. Gilmore

supporting

Also known as Gilmore, Dear Gilmore

Family solicitor who handles Laura's marriage settlement.

Mrs. Clements

supporting

Also known as Clements, Poor Mrs. Clements

Kind woman who sheltered Anne Catherick and helps Walter.

Mr. Kyrle

supporting

Also known as William Kyrle, William

Solicitor who assists Walter in legal matters.

Eliza Michelson

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Michelson, Lizzie

Housekeeper at Blackwater Park who provides a narrative.

Hester Pinhorn

minor

Cook in Count Fosco's household who gives testimony.

Jane Gould

minor

Nurse who attended Anne Catherick and provides a narrative.

Mr. Dawson

minor

Doctor who treats Laura and later testifies.

Mrs. Rubelle

minor

Also known as Madame Rubelle

Nurse hired by Count Fosco to assist in the conspiracy.

Monsieur Rubelle

minor

Husband of Mrs. Rubelle, involved in the plot.

Mrs. Vesey

minor

Also known as Good Mrs. Vesey, Dearest Mrs. Vesey

Kind elderly woman who accompanies Laura.

Fanny

minor

Also known as poor Fanny

Servant at Limmeridge House who helps Walter.

Mr. Merriman

minor

Also known as Merriman

Sir Percival's solicitor.

Louis

minor

Count Fosco's loyal servant.

Jacob Postlethwaite

minor

Also known as Jacob, little Jacob

Village boy who helps Walter with information.

Margaret Porcher

minor

Also known as Porcher

Servant at Blackwater Park.

Major Donthorne

minor

Man who provides information about Sir Percival's past.

Mr. Dempster

minor

Lawyer consulted by Walter.

Goodricke

minor

Also known as Mr. Goodricke

Schoolmaster who knew Anne Catherick.

Mrs. Todd

minor

Also known as Todd, Mr. Todd

Lodging-house keeper where Walter stays.

Mr. Wansborough

minor

Also known as Old Mr. Wansborough, young Mr. Wansborough

Solicitor involved in Sir Percival's affairs.

Mr. Catherick

minor

Also known as Catherick

Anne's father, a shoemaker.

Sarah

minor

Servant at Limmeridge House.

Baxter

minor

Servant at Blackwater Park.

Henry the Eighth

minor

Historical figure mentioned in relation to Sir Percival's secret.

Mrs. Fairlie

minor

Also known as the late Mrs. Fairlie, Philip Fairlie

Deceased mother of Laura and Marian.

Eleanor Fairlie

minor

Also known as Eleanor

Deceased relative of the Fairlie family.

Sir Felix Glyde

minor

Also known as Sir Felix, Felix

Deceased father of Sir Percival Glyde.

Old Mrs. Kempe

minor

Also known as Mrs. Kempe

Woman who knew the Catherick family.

John Owen

minor

Man who provides information about Sir Percival.

Brown Molly

minor

Also known as May

Servant at Limmeridge House.

Hannah

minor

Servant at Limmeridge House.

Garth

minor

Also known as Mr. Garth

Man who helps Walter in his investigation.