Pride and Prejudice

Mr. Bennet

Head of the Bennet family and father of five daughters. He consents to Jane’s marriage to Bingley and Elizabeth’s marriage to Darcy, whom he comes to esteem, while continuing to find humor in his family.

Mrs. Bennet

Mr. Bennet’s wife and mother of Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. She is overjoyed by Jane’s and Elizabeth’s marriages, especially Darcy’s wealth and status.

Mrs. Long

A neighbor who tells Mrs. Bennet that Mr. Bingley has rented Netherfield and is expected to meet the Bennet family. She has two nieces.

Mr. Bingley

Also known as Bingley · Charles

A wealthy, good-natured young man who rents Netherfield Park and loves Jane. He returns to Hertfordshire, renews his attention to her, and they marry; they later live in a neighboring county to Derbyshire.

Mr. Morris

The owner of Netherfield Park, which he rents to Mr. Bingley.

Elizabeth Bennet

Also known as Lizzy · Eliza · Miss Eliza Bennet

The Bennets’ second daughter, known for her quick wit and lively disposition. She comes to love Darcy, accepts his proposal, and marries him; she is also grateful for his role in Lydia’s marriage.

Jane Bennet

Also known as Miss Bennet

The eldest Bennet daughter, admired for her beauty, kindness, and calm temperament. She loves Bingley, becomes engaged to him, and marries him.

Lydia Bennet

The youngest Bennet daughter, lively, self-willed, and particularly interested in officers. She marries Wickham after eloping with him and remains heedless of the distress her conduct caused her family.

Kitty Bennet

Also known as Catherine Bennet

One of the Bennet daughters, close to Lydia and also interested in officers. She later spends much of her time with Jane and Elizabeth, where she becomes less irritable and improves.

Mary Bennet

A Bennet daughter who prides herself on reading and reflection and works to acquire accomplishments. She remains at Longbourn and continues to moralize about social visits.

Sir William Lucas

A former Meryton tradesman who became a knight and moved his family to Lucas Lodge. He is Charlotte’s father and unfailingly courteous.

Lady Lucas

Sir William Lucas’s wife and Charlotte’s mother. She is a neighbor and friend of Mrs. Bennet, and is pleased by Charlotte’s engagement to Mr. Collins.

Charlotte Lucas

Also known as Miss Lucas

The eldest Lucas child, about twenty-seven, and Elizabeth’s intimate friend. She marries Mr. Collins for the security of a comfortable home and is expecting a child.

Mr. Hurst

The husband of Mr. Bingley’s eldest sister. He accompanies the Bingley party and is described as fashionable but not wealthy.

Mr. Darcy

Also known as Darcy

A wealthy gentleman, Bingley’s friend and Georgiana’s brother. He secretly finds Lydia and Wickham, negotiates their marriage, pays Wickham’s debts, and arranges his army commission; he later marries Elizabeth.

Caroline Bingley

Also known as Miss Bingley

Mr. Bingley’s sister, who manages his household and is among his close companions. Proud and fashionable, she hopes Bingley will marry Georgiana Darcy and is jealous of Elizabeth; she eventually sets aside her resentment toward Elizabeth to retain access to Pemberley.

Louisa Hurst

Also known as Mrs. Hurst

Mr. Bingley’s married sister and Mr. Hurst’s wife. She and Caroline welcome Jane at Netherfield, but later keep her at a distance.

Mr. Bingley’s father

Mr. Bingley’s late father, who left him a substantial fortune and had intended to buy an estate.

Mr. Robinson

A man at the Meryton assembly whose conversation with Mr. Bingley about the prettiest woman there was overheard by Charlotte Lucas.

Maria Lucas

One of Charlotte Lucas’s sisters, who attends the Meryton assembly and accompanies Elizabeth and Sir William to Hunsford.

Miss King

Also known as Mary King

A young woman with whom Mr. Bingley dances at the Meryton assembly. After inheriting ten thousand pounds, she attracts George Wickham’s attentions, which Elizabeth later understands as mercenary; she goes to stay with her uncle in Liverpool.

Mr. Philips

Mrs. Bennet’s brother-in-law, who succeeded her father in the Meryton legal business. He visits the officers and shares news with his nieces.

Mrs. Philips

Mrs. Bennet’s sister, who lives in Meryton and supplies Kitty and Lydia with news about the officers. She shares news of Bingley’s return and later visits the Bennets, though Elizabeth finds her vulgar.

Mrs. Bennet’s father

A late Meryton attorney who left his daughter a fortune of four thousand pounds.

Mrs. Bennet’s brother

Also known as Mr. Gardiner

Mrs. Bennet’s brother, a sensible and well-bred London tradesman who lives near Cheapside. He finds Lydia and Wickham, negotiates their marriage and settlement, pays Wickham’s debts, and arranges for his commission.

Captain Carter

A militia officer admired by Lydia Bennet. He is about to travel to London.

Colonel Forster

A militia officer whose regiment is stationed near Meryton. He takes responsibility for Lydia during her stay in Brighton, alerts the Bennets when she elopes, and searches for her with concern; Mr. Gardiner later asks him to reassure Wickham’s Brighton creditors.

Miss Watson

A woman near Meryton whom Colonel Forster and Captain Carter used to visit frequently.

Mr. Jones

A doctor whom Jane Bennet’s friends at Netherfield insist on consulting after she becomes unwell.

Mrs. Long’s first niece

One of Mrs. Long’s two nieces, mentioned as a possible rival for Mr. Bingley’s attention.

Mrs. Long’s second niece

One of Mrs. Long’s two nieces, mentioned as a possible rival for Mr. Bingley’s attention.

Mr. Bingley’s cousin

An unnamed cousin reported to accompany Mr. Bingley’s party to the assembly.

The Bennet family footman

Also known as the footman

An unnamed servant in the Bennet household who brings Jane’s note from Netherfield.

The apothecary

An unnamed medical practitioner who examines Jane at Netherfield, diagnoses a severe cold, and prescribes draughts.

The housekeeper

An unnamed housekeeper at Netherfield, instructed by Mr. Bingley to ensure Jane and Elizabeth receive every possible attention. The Bennets’ housekeeper is also referred to by this role.

The Netherfield housemaid

Also known as a housemaid

An unnamed servant who carries news of Jane’s condition to Mr. Bingley.

The officers’ wife

An unnamed wife of one of the officers, whose lodgings Kitty and Lydia visit in Meryton.

The two officers’ wives

Unnamed women who bring inquiries from Mr. Bingley’s sisters about Jane’s health.

William Collins

Also known as Mr. Collins

The Bennets’ cousin and heir to Longbourn, which is entailed away from the Bennet daughters. A clergyman at Hunsford, he is obsequious toward Lady Catherine; after Elizabeth rejects his proposal, he marries Charlotte, who is expecting a child.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

Also known as Lady Catherine

A wealthy, high-ranking widow and patroness of Mr. Collins, who appointed him to the Hunsford rectory. She lives at Rosings, is Lady Anne Darcy’s sister, and has one daughter; she tries to prevent Darcy’s marriage to Elizabeth, but eventually reconciles with them.

Sir Lewis de Bourgh

Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s late husband.

Miss de Bourgh

Also known as Anne

Lady Catherine’s only daughter and heiress to Rosings and extensive property. She is sickly and small, is accompanied by Mrs. Jenkinson, and makes a polite farewell to Elizabeth and Maria.

The lady who superintended Miss de Bourgh’s education

An unnamed woman who oversaw Miss de Bourgh’s education and still resides with her and Lady Catherine.

Mr. Collins’s father

A late, miserly and illiterate man who raised Mr. Collins in strict subjection and had been at odds with Mr. Bennet.

The gentleman who admired Jane

An unnamed man who was in love with Jane when she was fifteen and reportedly wrote verses about her, but did not propose.

Miss Grantley

A young woman whose design for a table Caroline Bingley compares unfavorably with Miss Darcy’s.

Nicholls

The Netherfield cook, who is making white soup for Mr. Bingley’s planned ball.

The private

An unnamed soldier in the regiment who is reported to have been flogged.

The other clergyman

An unnamed clergyman who is to perform Mr. Collins’s Sunday duties when Collins visits his relations.

Richard

An unnamed worker employed by Mr. Philips, whom Lydia says may be dismissed and then hired by Colonel Forster.

Mr. Denny

A militia officer who returns from London with Mr. Wickham and introduces him to the Bennet sisters. He later tells Colonel Forster he believed Wickham did not intend to marry Lydia.

George Wickham

Also known as Mr. Wickham

A handsome, agreeable young man and militia officer, son of the late Mr. Darcy’s steward. He elopes with Lydia and initially has no intention of marrying her; after Darcy negotiates and pays his debts, he marries Lydia and receives an army commission, though Elizabeth judges his character worthless.

The great-uncle judge

Also known as Darcy’s great-uncle the judge

An unnamed judge who is Mr. Darcy’s great-uncle and whose portrait Miss Bingley suggests placing beside portraits of the Philipses at Pemberley.

The officers’ group

Also known as the officers of the ——shire

The individually unnamed officers of the militia regiment stationed near Meryton. They attract Lydia and Kitty’s interest, and the regiment is later ordered to Brighton.

The late Mr. Darcy

Also known as Mr. Darcy’s father

Mr. Darcy’s late father, whom Wickham praises as a good man and his truest friend. He was Wickham’s godfather, supported his schooling and university education, intended to provide him with a church living, and recommended that Darcy continue to help him.

Wickham’s father

Also known as old Wickham · Mr. Darcy’s steward

The late Mr. Darcy’s steward and George Wickham’s father. He managed the Pemberley estates and was a close, trusted friend of Mr. Darcy.

Mrs. Jenkinson

Miss de Bourgh’s companion at Rosings, who attends to her comfort and health. Lady Catherine says four of her nieces found governess positions through her recommendations.

The Archbishop

An unnamed archbishop whom Mr. Collins imagines might rebuke him for dancing at the Netherfield ball.

The officer who dances with Elizabeth

An unnamed militia officer who dances with Elizabeth at the Netherfield ball and tells her that Wickham is widely liked.

The officer who accompanies Wickham

An unnamed militia officer who walks with Wickham and the Bennet sisters from Meryton back to Longbourn.

Mrs. Gardiner

Mr. Gardiner’s amiable, intelligent, and elegant wife, close to Jane and Elizabeth. She shelters and protects Lydia, supports the marriage arrangements, and tells Elizabeth that Darcy found the couple, settled the financial matters, and attended the wedding.

Lady Metcalfe

A woman who recently thanked Lady Catherine for recommending a governess.

Miss Pope

A young woman whom Lady Catherine recommended as a governess to Lady Metcalfe; Lady Metcalfe considers her a treasure.

Colonel Fitzwilliam

Also known as Fitzwilliam

Mr. Darcy’s cousin and the younger son of an earl. He is a guardian of Georgiana Darcy alongside Darcy and tells Elizabeth that Darcy separated Bingley from a woman he considered an imprudent match.

Lord ——

An unnamed earl and the father of Colonel Fitzwilliam, who is described as his younger son.

Georgiana Darcy

Also known as Miss Darcy · Georgiana

Mr. Darcy’s younger sister, more than ten years his junior, and a ward of Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. She is shy and gentle; Wickham once tried to elope with her when she was fifteen, and she becomes close to Elizabeth, whom she admires.

Mrs. Younge

The woman who supervised Georgiana Darcy’s establishment in London and accompanied her to Ramsgate. Darcy says she was deceived about her character and aided Wickham’s attempted elopement with Georgiana; she later gives Darcy information that helps him find Lydia and Wickham.

Dawson

A person in Lady Catherine’s service, mentioned in connection with the barouche-box and proposed journey to London.

John

Lady Catherine’s man-servant, whom she suggests should accompany Elizabeth and Maria on their journey. The Gardiners’ servant also bears this name in Elizabeth’s account.

The coachman

Mr. Bennet’s coachman, whose punctual arrival brings Kitty and Lydia to meet Elizabeth, Maria, and Jane on their return journey.

The waiter

An unnamed waiter at the inn where Lydia shares news about Wickham and Mary King.

Harriet Harrington

Also known as Harriet

One of two young women invited by Mrs. Forster to a small dance; she is unable to attend because she is ill.

Pen Harrington

Also known as Pen

One of two young women invited by Mrs. Forster to a small dance. When her sister Harriet is ill, she attends alone.

Chamberlayne

A man whom Lydia and Kitty dress in women’s clothes as a prank at a gathering at Colonel Forster’s; Wickham, Denny, and other officers initially mistake him for a woman.

Mrs. Forster

Colonel Forster’s very young wife and Lydia’s close friend. She invites Lydia to accompany her to Brighton.

Colonel Miller

A colonel whose regiment once left the area, an event Mrs. Bennet recalls as having made her cry for two days.

The Pemberley housekeeper

Also known as Mrs. Reynolds

An elderly, respectful housekeeper at Pemberley who has known Darcy since he was four. She speaks warmly of his kindness as a boy and of his generosity as a master and brother.

The Pemberley gardener

Also known as the gardener

An unnamed Pemberley gardener who meets Elizabeth and the Gardiners at the house; his surprise at seeing Darcy confirms his identity.

The chambermaid

An unnamed chambermaid at the Gardiners’ inn who tells Elizabeth that the Darcy family is not at Pemberley.

The current steward

Also known as Darcy’s steward

An unnamed steward whose business causes Mr. Darcy to arrive at Pemberley ahead of his party.

Mrs. Annesley

A genteel, agreeable woman who lives with Georgiana Darcy in London and is staying with her at Pemberley. She helps keep conversation going during Elizabeth’s visit.

The Gardiners’ children

Also known as the little Gardiners

The individually unnamed children of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, who welcome Elizabeth on her return to Longbourn.

The Longbourn housekeeper

Also known as Mrs. Hill · Hill

An unnamed, trusted Longbourn servant who attends Mrs. Bennet during Lydia’s crisis. She brings Jane and Elizabeth news that Mr. Gardiner’s express has arrived and congratulates the family on Lydia’s marriage.

Sally

A servant whom Lydia asks Mrs. Forster to have mend a slit in her gown before packing her clothes.

Pratt

A man with whom Lydia had an engagement to dance on the night she eloped with Wickham.

The Longbourn butler

Also known as the butler

An unnamed servant who tells Jane and Elizabeth that Mr. Bennet is walking toward the copse.

Haggerston

A person Mr. Gardiner engages to prepare the marriage settlement for Lydia and Wickham.

General ——

An unnamed general whose regiment is stationed in the north and offers Wickham an ensigncy.

Mr. Stone

An unnamed man in London whom Lydia’s uncle is called away to see on business shortly before her wedding.

William Goulding

A neighbor whom Lydia overtakes in his curricle on her wedding day and signals to show her ring.

The young lady who separates Darcy and Elizabeth

Also known as the girl who moved closer to Elizabeth

An unnamed young woman at the Longbourn gathering who whispers to Elizabeth that the men will not come and part them, keeping Darcy from speaking with her.