Character guide

Booker T. Washington

major

Also known as Booker Washington, Professor Booker T. Washington, Professor Washington, Professor Booker T., Washington, T. Washington, The Rev. Booker T. Washington, Booker Taliaferro Washington, Booker Taliaferro, Booker

The narrator and central figure, born enslaved, who rises to found Tuskegee Institute.

General Samuel C. Armstrong

supporting

Also known as General S. C. Armstrong, General Armstrong, General, Samuel Armstrong, young Armstrong, the late General Samuel C. Armstrong, the General

Founder of Hampton Institute and mentor to Booker T. Washington.

Miss Olivia A. Davidson

supporting

Also known as Miss Davidson, Olivia A. Davidson, Miss Olivia Davidson, Miss Davidon

Teacher and later wife of Booker T. Washington, key in early Tuskegee development.

Mrs. Viola Ruffner

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Ruffner, fearing Mrs. Ruffner

Employer of young Booker T. Washington, who taught him discipline and cleanliness.

Mrs. Washington

supporting

Also known as Washington

Booker T. Washington's third wife, who assisted in Tuskegee's operations.

Frederick Douglass

minor

Also known as Mr. Douglass, the Hon . Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass

Prominent abolitionist and orator, admired and referenced by Washington.

General J. F. B. Marshall

minor

Also known as General Marshall

Treasurer of Hampton Institute who supported Washington's early career.

Mr. Cleveland

minor

A benefactor or associate mentioned in fundraising contexts.

John Hatcher

minor

Also known as Hatcher, John

A friend or colleague who assisted Washington's efforts.

Miss Mary F. Mackie

minor

Also known as Miss Mackie

Teacher at Hampton Institute who influenced Washington's education.

Dr. J. L. M. Curry

minor

Also known as Dr. Curry

Educational philanthropist who supported Tuskegee Institute.

Mr. Francis J. Garrison

minor

Also known as Garrison, Mr. Garrison

Abolitionist's son and supporter of African American education.

Dr. Donald

minor

A physician or educator mentioned in Washington's narrative.

John S. Lincoln

minor

Also known as Lincoln, John

A benefactor or associate of Tuskegee Institute.

Mr. George W. Campbell

minor

Also known as Mr. Campbell

A supporter of Tuskegee's founding and early operations.

Mr. Lewis Adams

minor

Also known as Mr. Adams

A local leader who helped establish Tuskegee Institute.

Collis P. Huntington

minor

Also known as Mr. Huntington

Railroad magnate and philanthropist who donated to Tuskegee.

Mr. Andrew Carnegie

minor

Also known as Mr. Carnegie

Industrialist and philanthropist who supported Tuskegee.

Sergeant William H. Carney

minor

Also known as Sergeant Carney

Civil War hero and Medal of Honor recipient mentioned by Washington.

George Washington

minor

Also known as Washington

First U.S. president, referenced as a historical figure.

Portia M. Washington

minor

Also known as Portia

Daughter of Booker T. Washington, mentioned in family context.

Mr. Warren Logan

minor

A colleague or staff member at Tuskegee Institute.

President William McKinley

minor

Also known as President McKinley

U.S. president who visited Tuskegee Institute.

General Lewis Ruffner

minor

Also known as General Ruffner

Husband of Mrs. Viola Ruffner and employer of young Washington.

Governor Bullock

minor

Also known as Governor

Governor of Alabama who supported Tuskegee's founding.

Uncle Jake

minor

Also known as Jake

An enslaved man from Washington's childhood memories.

Robert Gould Shaw

minor

Union colonel of the 54th Massachusetts, referenced as a hero.

Governor Roger Wolcott

minor

Also known as Governor Wolcott, Roger Wolcott

Massachusetts governor who supported Tuskegee.

Mr. Henry O. Tanner

minor

Also known as Mr. Tanner

African American artist mentioned by Washington.

Dr. Hollis B. Frissell

minor

Also known as the Rev. Dr. Hollis B. Frissell, Dr. Frissell

Principal of Hampton Institute after Armstrong.

Dr. Mark Hopkins

minor

Also known as Dr. Hopkins

Educator and president of Williams College, referenced as ideal.

Amanda

minor

A woman from Washington's early life, possibly a family member.

Susan B. Anthony

minor

Also known as Susan, Miss Susan B. Anthony

Suffragist leader who supported Tuskegee.

Miss Nathalie Lord

minor

Also known as Miss Lord

A teacher at Tuskegee Institute.

Mr. Morris K. Jessup

minor

Also known as Mr. Jessup

Philanthropist who donated to Tuskegee.

Mr. William H. Baldwin Jr.

minor

Railroad executive and Tuskegee trustee.

Papa

minor

Washington's father, mentioned briefly in childhood.

W. A. MacCorkle

minor

Also known as ex-Governor W. A. MacCorkle, ex-Governor MacCorkle, Governor

West Virginia governor who supported Tuskegee.

Mr. John D. Rockefeller

minor

Oil magnate and philanthropist who donated to Tuskegee.

President Eliot

minor

President of Harvard University, referenced as a supporter.