# War and Peace — Character guide

> Key figures in War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

- [Pierre Bezúkhov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/pierre_bezukhov.md): The illegitimate son of a wealthy count who unexpectedly inherits his fortune, navigating society and searching for meaning.
- [Prince Andrei Bolkónski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/andrei_bolkonsky.md): An intelligent, ambitious prince who leaves his family to seek glory in the military, disillusioned by high society.
- [Natásha Rostóva](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/natasha_rostova.md): The lively, romantic youngest daughter of the Rostóv family, whose heart and fortunes drive much of the plot.
- [Nikoláy Rostóv](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/nikolai_rostov.md): The Rostóvs' eldest son, a young hussar officer who experiences the realities of war and family duty.
- [Princess Márya Bolkónskaya](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/maria_bolkonskaya.md): The devout, kind-hearted sister of Prince Andrei, living under the stern rule of their father at Bald Hills.
- [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/napoleon_bonaparte.md): The Emperor of France, whose invasion of Russia serves as the historical backdrop for the novel's events.
- [Mikhail Kutúzov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/mikhail_kutuzov.md): The veteran, weary Russian commander-in-chief who opposes Napoleon's invasion in 1812.
- [Count Ilyá Rostóv](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/ilya_rostov.md): The genial but financially irresponsible patriarch of the Rostóv family.
- [Sónya](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/sonya.md): The poor, devoted cousin raised by the Rostóvs, who is secretly in love with Nikoláy.
- [Vasíli Denísov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/vasily_denisov.md): A brave, boisterous hussar officer and close friend of Nikoláy Rostóv.
- [Fyódor Dólokhov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/fyodor_dolokhov.md): A cold, reckless, and skilled officer and duelist from a poor family, often causing trouble.
- [Borís Drubetskóy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/boris_drubetskoy.md): An ambitious young man who climbs the social and military ladder through calculation and connections.
- [Anatole Kurágin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/anatole_kuragin.md): The handsome, immoral, and reckless brother of Hélène, whose actions cause major scandal.
- [Prince Vasíli Kurágin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/vasily_kuragin.md): A cunning, influential prince obsessed with advancing his children's fortunes and his own status.
- [Anna Mikháylovna Drubetskáya](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/anna_mikhailovna.md): A poor but determined princess and mother of Borís, who tirelessly schemes for her son's advancement.
- [Anna Pávlovna Schérer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/anna_pavlovna.md): A well-connected St. Petersburg hostess whose soirées open the novel.
- [Pétya Rostóv](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/pyotr_rostov.md): The youngest Rostóv son, whose youthful enthusiasm leads him to join the army during the 1812 campaign.
- [Hélène Bezúkhova](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/helene_bezukhova.md): The stunning but shallow and unfaithful daughter of Vasíli Kurágin, who marries Pierre.
- [Platón Karatáev](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/platon_karataev.md): A simple, philosophical peasant soldier Pierre meets in captivity, who profoundly influences his worldview.
- [Prince Nikoláy Bolkónski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/old_prince_bolkonsky.md): The brilliant, tyrannical, and retired former general, father of Andrei and Márya.
- [Alpátych](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/alpatych.md): The faithful old steward of the Bolkónski estate at Bald Hills.
- [Mademoiselle Bourienne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/mademoiselle_bourienne.md): A French companion to Princess Márya, whose flirtatious nature causes tension in the Bolkónski household.
- [Count Rostopchín](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/fyodor_rostopchin.md): The Governor-General of Moscow during the 1812 French invasion.
- [Emperor Alexander I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/alexander_i.md): The Tsar of Russia during the Napoleonic Wars.
- [Prince Bagratión](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/bagration.md): A revered Russian infantry commander during the early campaigns against Napoleon.
- [Alphonse Berg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/boris_berg.md): A pedantic, socially climbing officer who marries Véra Rostóva.
- [Véra Rostóva](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/vera_rostova.md): The eldest, somewhat cold and correct Rostóv daughter, who marries Berg.
- [Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/marya_dmitrievna.md): A forthright and respected Moscow lady known for speaking her mind.
- [Prince Ippolit Kurágin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/ippolit_kuragin.md): The foolish, awkward brother of Anatole and Hélène, often the butt of jokes in society.
- [Captain Túshin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/tushin.md): A modest but heroic artillery captain whose bravery is crucial at the Battle of Schön Grabern.
- [Prince Dolgorúkov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/dolgorukov.md): A confident adjutant to Tsar Alexander I at the Austrian headquarters.
- [Bilíbin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/bil%C3%ADbin.md): A witty Russian diplomat stationed in Austria, known for his clever phrases.
- [Julie Karágina](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/julie_karagina.md): A wealthy heiress and friend of the Rostóvs, who becomes involved with Borís Drubetskóy.
- [Countess Natálya Rostóva](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/countess_rostova.md): The loving, anxious mother of the Rostóv family.
- [Nikólenka Bolkónski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/nikolenka_bolkonsky.md): The young son of Prince Andrei, who appears in the novel's epilogue.
- [Zherkóv](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/zherkov.md): A mischievous hussar officer and friend of Dólokhov.
- [Prince Nesvítski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/nesvitsky.md): A good-natured, stout staff officer who serves as a liaison.
- [Speránski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/speransky.md): The influential state secretary and reformer whom Pierre and Andrei admire for a time.
- [Osip Bazdéev](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/osip_bazdeev.md): A Mason who initiates Pierre into Freemasonry.
- [Marshal Davout](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/davout.md): A feared marshal of Napoleon, known for his severity.
- [Barclay de Tolly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/barclay_de_tolly.md): A Russian commander of Baltic German origin, initially in command in 1812.
- [Lieutenant Telyánin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/telyanin.md): An officer who steals money from Nikoláy Rostóv, causing a scandal in the regiment.
- [Lavrúshka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/lavrushka.md): Denísov's (and later Rostóv's) clever, roguish Cossack orderly.
- [Count Arakchéev](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/arakcheev.md): The Tsar's powerful, harsh Minister of War.
- [Danílo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/danilo.md): The Rostóvs' dedicated and skilled huntsman.
- [General Ermólov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/ermolov.md): A bold, outspoken Russian general on Kutúzov's staff.
- [General Bennigsen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/bennigsen.md): A senior Russian general who often clashes with Kutúzov.
- [General Dokhtúrov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/dokhturov.md): A modest, reliable Russian general who performs crucial duties at Borodinó and after.
- [Morel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/morel.md): A French drummer boy taken prisoner by the Russians and cared for by Pétya Rostóv.
- [Mávra Kuzmínichna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/mavra.md): The Rostóvs' kind housekeeper in Moscow.
- [Captain Timókhin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/timokhin.md): A brave, dependable infantry company commander under Bagratión.
- [Ilyín](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/ilyin.md): A young, enthusiastic officer in Nikoláy Rostóv's hussar regiment.
- [Princess Liza Bolkónskaya](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/princess_liza_bolkonskaya.md): The charming, superficial wife of Prince Andrei, who dies in childbirth.
- [Ferapóntov](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/ferapontov.md): A merchant in Smolénsk whose shop is looted as the French approach.
- [Mikháil Ivánovich](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/mikhail_ivanovich.md): The architect and companion of old Prince Bolkónski.
- [Tíkhon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/tikhon.md): A peasant servant of old Prince Bolkónski, known for his grimaces and loyalty.
- [Dron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/dron.md): The village elder (starosta) of the Bolkónski estate at Boguchárovo.
- [Márya Perónskaya](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/peronskaya.md): A relative and chaperone for Natásha at her first grand ball in St. Petersburg.
- [Pelagéya Melyukóva](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/melyukova.md): A neighbor of the Rostóvs known for her festive Christmas parties.
- [Balagá](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/balaga.md): A famous, reckless troika driver in Moscow.
- [Gerásim](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/gerasim.md): The old servant who tends to Count Bezúkhov on his deathbed.
- [Mítenka](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/mitya.md): The Rostóv family's steward, involved in their financial troubles.
- [Anísya Fëdorovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/anisia.md): The Rostóvs' housekeeper at their Otradnoe estate.
- [Dunyásha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/dunyasha.md): A maid in the Rostóv household, later involved with the valet Fëdor.
- [Malásha](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/malasha.md): A young peasant girl present during the council of war at Fili.
- [Vereshchágin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/vereshchagin.md): A young merchant's son wrongly accused of treason and executed by a Moscow mob.
- [Márya Bogdánovna](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/marya_bogdanovna.md): The midwife present for the birth of Princess Liza Bolkónskaya's child.
- [Monsieur Dessalles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/dessalles.md): The Swiss tutor for Prince Andrei's son, Nikólenka.
- [Count Willarski](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/willarski.md): A Polish count who introduces Pierre to the Masonic lodge in St. Petersburg.
- [Prince Murat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/murat.md): The flamboyant French cavalry commander, King of Naples.
- [General Weyrother](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/weyrother.md): The Austrian chief of staff who presents the battle plan before Austerlitz.
- [Mademoiselle George](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/mademoiselle_george.md): A famous French actress who performs in Moscow and is admired by Anatole.
- [Milorádovich](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/miloradovich.md): A flamboyant Russian general known for his bravery and showmanship.
- [Count Langeron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/langeron.md): One of the allied commanders at the Battle of Austerlitz.
- [Praskóvya](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/war_and_peace/characters/praskovya.md): A maid in the Rostóv household, mentioned in passing.

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