Persuasion Characters
Every major character in Persuasion by Jane Austen, with a portrait, who they are and the chapters they appear in.
Anne ElliotProtagonist · 23 chaptersThe sensible, overlooked middle daughter of Sir Walter Elliot who quietly bears a past broken engagement and seeks usefulness and integrity.
Captain Frederick WentworthMajor character · 20 chaptersA successful, self-assured Royal Navy captain whose return rekindles a past engagement with Anne Elliot.
Elizabeth ElliotAntagonist · 20 chaptersSir Walter’s eldest daughter: proud, social, and intent on preserving rank and appearances above domestic warmth.
Lady RussellMajor character · 19 chaptersAnne Elliot’s sensible, well-bred godmother and adviser who favors prudence, respectability, and steady judgment.
Mary MusgroveMinor character · 19 chaptersYounger Elliot sister married to Charles Musgrove; a fretful, social woman whose demands draw Anne into the Musgroves' world.
Charles MusgroveMinor character · 18 chaptersMary Musgrove’s cheerful, easygoing husband and the amiable heir of the Musgroves of Uppercross.
Henrietta MusgroveMinor character · 17 chaptersOne of the cheerful Musgrove sisters at Uppercross; sociable, romantic, and part of the household’s lively social life.
Louisa MusgroveMinor character · 17 chaptersA lively, headstrong Musgrove daughter whose impulsive spirit leads to a serious accident and later an unexpected engagement.
Sir Walter ElliotAntagonist · 17 chaptersA vain, title-obsessed baronet who values rank and appearances above practical or affectionate concerns.
Admiral CroftMinor character · 16 chaptersA plain‑dealing, genial naval admiral who, with his wife, becomes tenant of Kellynch Hall and links Anne to the navy circle.
Captain BenwickMinor character · 15 chaptersA quiet, bookish young naval officer recently bereaved, whose taste for poetry and melancholy lead to a consoling engagement with Louisa Musgrove.
Charles HayterMinor character · 15 chaptersA sensible, reserved young curate and Hayter cousin quietly devoted to Henrietta Musgrove, overshadowed by naval glamour.
Mrs. CroftMajor character · 15 chaptersWarm, practical wife of Admiral Croft and Captain Wentworth’s sensible sister who brings the Navy into Anne’s neighborhood.
Lady DalrympleMinor character · 14 chaptersA titled relation whose arrival in Bath becomes a social prize for the Elliots, offering carriages and invitations.
Mrs. MusgroveMajor character · 14 chaptersWarm, talkative mistress of Uppercross who fusses over family and guests and keeps a lively, hospitable household.
Captain HarvilleMajor character · 13 chaptersA warm, practical naval captain whose Lyme household and friendship with Wentworth draw Anne into the naval circle.
Miss CarteretMinor character · 12 chaptersA well-bred young relation of the Dalrymples who accompanies Lady Dalrymple in Bath and serves as a fashionable, name-bearing companion.
Nurse RookeMinor character · 11 chaptersPractical, discreet professional nurse who cares for Mrs. Smith and quietly knows the local goings-on in Bath.
William ElliotAntagonist · 11 chaptersSir Walter’s distant cousin and heir, a smooth, socially astute man whose return threatens Anne’s prospects and reveals opportunism.- MMr. ShepherdMinor character · 10 chaptersSir Walter Elliot’s prudent solicitor who recommends letting Kellynch and brings his widowed daughter, Mrs. Clay, into the Elliot circle.
- MMr ElliotAntagonist · 4 chaptersA polished, self-interested kinsman who courts favour as Sir Walter’s heir and intrudes into the Elliots’ social circle in Bath.
- MMr MusgroveMinor character · 4 chaptersA genial, practical country gentleman and head of the Musgrove household, fond of company and family bustle.
- MMrs ClayMinor character · 4 chaptersA socially intimate companion to Elizabeth Elliot whose influence Lady Russell distrusts.
- MMrs HarvilleMinor character · 4 chaptersA plain, hearty Lyme resident who hosts visitors and nurses Louisa Musgrove with steady practical care.
- MMrs SmithMinor character · 3 chaptersAnne’s old schoolfriend, a cheerful young widow of reduced means who offers practical kindness and steady companionship in Bath.
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