# To the Lighthouse — Character guide

> Key figures in To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf.

- [Mrs. Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/mrs_ramsay.md): The matriarch of the Ramsay family, central to the novel's domestic and emotional life.
- [Lily Briscoe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/lily_briscoe.md): A painter and guest of the Ramsays, whose artistic vision drives much of the narrative.
- [Mr. Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/mr_ramsay.md): The philosopher father, often preoccupied with his work and legacy.
- [James Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/james_ramsay.md): The Ramsays' youngest son, fiercely attached to his mother and later a young man.
- [Minta Doyle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/minta_doyle.md): A vivacious young woman who becomes engaged to Paul Rayley.
- [Mr. Bankes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/mr_bankes.md): A botanist and friend of the Ramsays, often observing family dynamics.
- [Cam Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/cam_ramsay.md): The Ramsays' daughter, often seen with her brother James.
- [Paul Rayley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/paul_rayley.md): A young man who becomes engaged to Minta Doyle.
- [Charles Tansley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/charles_tansley.md): A young academic and guest of the Ramsays, often pedantic and insecure.
- [Andrew Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/andrew_ramsay.md): The Ramsays' eldest son, a promising scholar who dies in the war.
- [Mr. Carmichael](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/mr_carmichael.md): A poet and guest of the Ramsays, quiet and observant.
- [Rose Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/rose_ramsay.md): One of the Ramsay daughters, noted for her beauty.
- [Nancy Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/nancy_ramsay.md): One of the Ramsay daughters, often in the background.
- [Prue Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/prue_ramsay.md): The beautiful eldest Ramsay daughter, who dies young.
- [Mrs. McNab](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/mrs_mcnab.md): The housekeeper who tends the Ramsay summer home during the war years.
- [Macalister](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/macalister.md): A fisherman who takes the Ramsays and guests to the lighthouse.
- [Jasper Ramsay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/jasper_ramsay.md): One of the Ramsay sons, appears briefly.
- [Carrie Manning](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/carrie_manning.md): A friend of the Ramsays, mentioned in passing.
- [Mrs. Bast](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/mrs_bast.md): A local woman who helps clean the Ramsay house.
- [Kennedy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/kennedy.md): A minor character mentioned in the narrative.
- [Roger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters/roger.md): A minor character, possibly a friend of the Ramsays.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/to_the_lighthouse_se/characters