Character guide

Max Beerbohm

major

Also known as Mr. Beerbohm, Mr. Max Beerbohm

Author and narrator, reflecting on dandyism and Victorian society.

King George IV

major

Also known as George, young George, George III, poor George, The King, King George the Fourth, George the Fourth

Extravagant monarch and central figure in discussions of dandyism.

Mr. Brummell

major

Also known as Even Mr. Brummell, Brummell

Legendary dandy and arbiter of men's fashion in Regency England.

Mr. Coates

supporting

Also known as 1807 old Mr. Coates

Eccentric old man and father of Romeo Coates, a minor character.

Romeo Coates

supporting

Also known as Romeo, the rejected Romeo, Poor Romeo, the new Romeo

Amateur actor and social climber, subject of mockery and pity.

Count D'Orsay

supporting

Also known as D'Orsay

French-born dandy and artist, friend of Byron and Disraeli.

Princess Caroline

supporting

Also known as the Princess Caroline, Caroline

Estranged wife of George IV, involved in scandalous royal drama.

Mr. Hall Caine

minor

Popular novelist and playwright, mentioned in literary commentary.

Thackeray

minor

Also known as Even Thackeray

Novelist and satirist, referenced as a critic of dandyism.

Lord X.

minor

Anonymous aristocratic dandy, used as a representative figure.

Mrs. Fox

minor

Society hostess and mother of Charles James Fox.

Mr. Le V.

minor

Also known as Poor old Mr. Le V.

Aging dandy and friend of the narrator, emblem of fading elegance.

Emma

minor

Also known as Miss Emma

Young woman admired by the narrator, symbol of romantic ideal.

John Lane

minor

Also known as John Lane Dandies, Dandies

Publisher of the Yellow Book and associated with the Dandy movement.

Mr. Walter Pater

minor

Also known as Pater

Essayist and critic, influential on aestheticism and dandyism.

Mr. Pryse Gordon

minor

Also known as Mr. Gordon, echo Mr. Pryse Gordon

Minor dandy and acquaintance of Brummell, mentioned in anecdotes.

Sabina

minor

Mysterious female figure, possibly allegorical or literary reference.

Mr. Tree

minor

Also known as Mr. Beerbohm Tree

Actor-manager and half-brother of Max Beerbohm, noted for theatrical roles.

Sir James Tylney Long

minor

Wealthy landowner and father of Miss Tylney Long, a social figure.

Lady Belper

minor

Society hostess and patron of the arts in Victorian London.

Disraeli

minor

Prime Minister and novelist, associated with dandyism in youth.

Gladstone

minor

Also known as Mr. Gladstone

Prime Minister, referenced as a contrast to dandy culture.

Charles James Fox

minor

Also known as Fox

Whig statesman and gambler, noted for his flamboyant style.

Mrs. Fitzherbert

minor

Also known as whither Mrs. Fitzherbert

Secret wife of George IV, central to royal marriage controversy.

Lord Randolph Churchill

minor

Also known as young Randolph Churchill

Politician and father of Winston Churchill, mentioned as a dandy.

Miss Tylney Long

minor

Also known as Miss Tylney

Heiress courted by George IV, symbol of social ambition.

Mr. Oscar Wilde

minor

Also known as Oscar Wilde

Playwright and wit, epitome of late-Victorian dandyism.

Aubrey Beardsley

minor

Also known as la belle Aubrey, Mr. Aubrey Beardsley

Artist and illustrator, key figure in the Aesthetic movement.

Lady Belmore

minor

Irish aristocrat and society figure, noted for her beauty.