The Bostonians characters

Appears from the start

A young lawyer from Mississippi who comes to Boston after the Civil War with little money and strong conservative convictions. Proud, intelligent, and skeptical of reform movements, he is nevertheless curious about the unfamiliar society his northern relatives inhabit.

First appears in chapter 2

Basil's wealthy Boston cousin, intensely committed to the movement for women's rights. Earnest, private, and emotionally possessive, she hopes to devote her life and resources to a great female speaker who can advance the cause.

First appears in chapter 6

A beautiful, charismatic young woman from Cambridge who appears at a reform gathering and speaks with remarkable natural eloquence. Her ideas have largely been supplied by her parents and the reformers around her, but her voice and sympathetic presence make audiences feel them as her own.

Also known as Mrs. Luna

Appears from the start

Olive's widowed sister, a lively and socially ambitious woman who is spending time in Boston with her young son. Less austere than Olive, she enjoys Basil's company and teases both cousins about their opposing views.

First appears in chapter 3

An elderly abolitionist and veteran campaigner who has given her life to reform. Poor, trusting, and revered by younger activists, she gathers an assortment of radicals at her modest Boston home.

First appears in chapter 5

Verena's father, a self-styled healer and public performer who claims unusual powers of influence. He recognizes his daughter's value as a speaker and treats access to her talent as something that can improve the family's position.

First appears in chapter 7

Verena's practical, talkative mother. Proud of her daughter's public gift and alert to social opportunity, she helps manage Verena's appearances and negotiates with those who want to guide her career.

First appears in chapter 4

A physician who attends Miss Birdseye's gathering. Independent, scientifically minded, and emotionally self-contained, she supports women's freedom through her own working life while remaining skeptical of theatrical reform rhetoric.

First appears in chapter 3

A prominent advocate of women's rights whose commanding public style represents the established reform platform. Olive admires her authority and hopes the evening at Miss Birdseye's will produce a similarly powerful new voice.

First appears in chapter 19

A young Harvard graduate from a prosperous New York family. Cultivated, courteous, and attracted to Verena, he offers a conventional marriage combined with social approval for a limited public career.

First appears in chapter 9

A young newspaper reporter eager for personalities, causes, and material he can turn into public interest. He notices Verena's promise early and repeatedly tries to gain access to her story.

First appears in chapter 20

Henry's wealthy and polished mother. She sees Verena's charm and influence clearly and approaches Olive with a proposal that would draw the young speaker into the Burrages' social world.