# Five Weeks in a Balloon — Character guide

> Key figures in Five Weeks in a Balloon by Jules Verne.

- [Joe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/joe.md): Joe is the expedition's valet, cook, and comic conscience — the man who hauls a flask of water up to his master's lips after shooting a lioness, and who later drops out of the balloon's car to run along a mountaintop and
- [Dr. Samuel Ferguson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/samuel_ferguson.md): Ferguson is the expedition's scientist, commander, and public sensation — a man so approachable that half of London offers to join him, yet so guarded that he refuses every would-be companion and every inventor's steerin
- [Dick Kennedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/dick_kennedy.md): Kennedy is the expedition's muscle and its resident doubter, a six-foot Scot whose friendship with Ferguson was forged over tigers and botanical specimens rather than saved lives. He joins the voyage reluctantly, grumbli
- [Victoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/victoria_balloon.md): The Victoria is the expedition's vessel, shelter, and constant source of suspense: she rises when ballast is thrown, sinks when the sun cools her gas, and threatens at any moment to dash her car against a ridge. Her pass
- [Dr. Barth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/dr_barth.md): A real-life explorer referenced as a prior traveler in the regions visited.
- [Captain Speke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/captain_speke.md): Historical explorer mentioned in discussions of African geography.
- [Captain Bennett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/captain_bennett.md): A captain who assists the explorers at the start of their journey.
- [Major Denham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/major_denham.md): Historical explorer mentioned in the context of African exploration.
- [James Bruce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/james_bruce.md): Historical Scottish explorer of Africa, referenced in the narrative.
- [The Scot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/the_scot.md): A nickname for Dick Kennedy, emphasizing his Scottish heritage.
- [Captain Burton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/captain_burton.md): Historical explorer mentioned in conversations about African travel.
- [Mungo Park](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/mungo_park.md): Famous Scottish explorer of the Niger River, referenced historically.
- [Guillaume Lejean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/guillaume_lejean.md): A French explorer mentioned in the context of African geography.
- [Major Laing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/major_laing.md): Historical explorer of the Sahara, referenced in the narrative.
- [Richardson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/richardson.md): An English explorer mentioned in discussions of African travel.
- [Overweg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/overweg.md): A German explorer mentioned in the context of African exploration.
- [Callié](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/callie.md): A French explorer who visited Timbuktu, mentioned in the book.
- [Al-Hadji](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/al_hadji.md): A Muslim title used for a traveler, mentioned in passing.
- [Herr Petermann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/herr_petermann.md): A German geographer referenced in the book's discussions.
- [Andrea Debono](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/andrea_debono.md): An Italian explorer mentioned in the context of the Nile.
- [M. de Heuglin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/m_de_heuglin.md): A German explorer referenced in the narrative.
- [Dr. Oudney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/dr_oudney.md): A Scottish explorer of Africa, mentioned in the book.
- [Captain Clapperton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters/captain_clapperton.md): A British explorer of West Africa, referenced historically.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/characters