Middlemarch (AmazonClassics Edition) characters

Appears from the start

An earnest young gentlewoman living with her uncle at Tipton Grange. Dorothea longs to devote her intelligence and fortune to serious moral work, dismissing the conventional comforts expected of her. Her idealism is generous but inexperienced, and she is drawn toward anyone who seems able to give her life an exacting purpose.

Appears from the start

Dorothea's younger sister, affectionate, observant, and more comfortable with ordinary pleasures. Celia loves Dorothea without sharing her appetite for sacrifice and often sees practical difficulties that her sister's ideals overlook.

Appears from the start

Guardian and uncle to Dorothea and Celia, a good-natured landowner with reforming opinions that rarely become decisive action. He enjoys entertaining incompatible ideas and imagines a possible career in politics.

Appears from the start

A wealthy neighboring baronet who admires Dorothea and hopes to marry her. He is conventional but sincere, interested in improving his tenants' cottages and willing to support projects that he believes will please her.

First appears in chapter 2

A middle-aged clergyman and scholar at Lowick whose life is devoted to a vast unfinished study of religious history. Dorothea mistakes his dryness and learning for spiritual greatness and believes marriage to him will let her assist work of lasting importance.

First appears in chapter 9

Casaubon's young cousin, an artist of uncertain direction and mixed English-Polish family background. Warm, quick-minded, and impatient with Casaubon's sterile scholarship, he is studying art largely because his relatives have chosen the course for him.

First appears in chapter 11

An ambitious young doctor newly arrived in Middlemarch after broad medical training. He wants to advance scientific medicine through hospital reform and research, and he is confident that professional ability will keep him independent of provincial alliances.

First appears in chapter 12

The charming daughter of a prosperous Middlemarch manufacturer and mayor. Beautiful, musical, and accomplished in the arts expected of a lady, Rosamond intends to rise beyond the social world into which she was born and is immediately interested in the distinguished new doctor.

First appears in chapter 12

Rosamond's genial brother, burdened by debt and repeated failure at university. His family expects him to enter the Church, but he has little sense of vocation and rests his hopes on an inheritance from his elderly uncle Featherstone.

First appears in chapter 12

The plain-spoken daughter of estate agent Caleb Garth, working as companion and nurse to the wealthy Peter Featherstone. Intelligent and self-respecting, she has known Fred since childhood and cares for him while refusing to encourage his idleness or dependence on an expected legacy.

First appears in chapter 13

A wealthy banker and prominent religious philanthropist whose influence reaches the new hospital. Severe in public principle and accustomed to directing others through money, he supports Lydgate's medical plans while expecting loyalty in institutional disputes.

First appears in chapter 17

The amiable vicar of St Botolph's, a naturalist and card player who supports his mother, aunt, and sister. Though less impressive in manner than some of Middlemarch's moral authorities, he combines humane judgment with a practical understanding of other people's weaknesses.

First appears in chapter 23

Mary's father, an estate manager and land surveyor who delights in useful work. Caleb is financially imprudent when helping others but exact and trustworthy in his profession, and he judges people mainly by their honesty and willingness to labor.

First appears in chapter 53

A coarse, talkative stranger who recognizes Bulstrode from long before the banker settled in Middlemarch. His arrival at Stone Court makes Bulstrode visibly anxious, and his knowledge gives him leverage over a man known locally for rigid respectability.