# Twelve Years a Slave — Character guide

> Key figures in Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup.

- [Solomon Northup](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/solomon_northup.md): A free black man kidnapped into slavery; the narrator and protagonist.
- [Master Tibeats](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/master_tibeats.md): A cruel carpenter and slaveholder who torments Solomon.
- [Elizabeth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/elizabeth.md): A slave woman separated from her children; a fellow captive.
- [Bass](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/bass.md): A Canadian carpenter who helps Solomon regain his freedom.
- [Master Epps](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/master_epps.md): A brutal plantation owner who holds Solomon for years.
- [Patsey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/patsey.md): A slave woman repeatedly abused by Master Epps; a central figure.
- [James H. Burch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/james_h_burch.md): A slave trader who purchases and beats Solomon in Washington.
- [Wiley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/wiley.md): A fellow slave on Epps' plantation; often suffers alongside others.
- [Platt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/platt.md): Solomon's slave name; used as an alias throughout his enslavement.
- [Henry B. Northup](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/henry_b_northup.md): Solomon's white friend and lawyer who secures his release.
- [Theophilus Freeman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/theophilus_freeman.md): A slave trader in New Orleans who sells Solomon.
- [Master Ford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/master_ford.md): Solomon's first kind master in Louisiana.
- [Little Emily](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/little_emily.md): Eliza's young daughter, sold away from her mother.
- [Peter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/peter.md): A free black man who assists in Solomon's rescue.
- [Anne Hampton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/anne_hampton.md): Solomon's wife, who remains free in New York.
- [Aunt Phebe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/aunt_phebe.md): An elderly slave woman on Epps' plantation.
- [Mr. Avery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/mr_avery.md): A neighbor and friend of the Epps family.
- [Mr. Waddill](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/mr_waddill.md): A lawyer who assists in legal matters for Epps.
- [Mr. Eldret](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/mr_eldret.md): A slaveholder who hires Solomon for a time.
- [Armsby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/armsby.md): A white man who betrays Solomon's escape plan.
- [Mary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/mary.md): A young woman on a neighboring plantation.
- [Benjamin O. Shekels](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/benjamin_o_shekels.md): A slave trader involved in Solomon's transport.
- [Mr. Cephas Parker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/mr_cephas_parker.md): A lawyer who assists in Solomon's rescue.
- [Joseph H. Bradley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/twelve_years_a_slave_se/characters/joseph_h_bradley.md): A lawyer who assists in Solomon's rescue.

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