Mike · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Mike by P. G. Wodehouse.
Skim names here — open a free preview to see character cards and Character Web beside the page as you read.
Mike Jackson
major
Also known as Mike, Master Mike, Alan Durand Mike, III Mike Finds a Friendly Native Mike, XII Mike, XIV A Slight Imbroglio Mike, XV Mike Creates a Vacancy Burgess, Mike Wryky
A natural-born cricketer whose genius at the crease can't quite outweigh his genius for being late, idle, and reported on, forcing a move from Wrykyn to Sedleigh.
Psmith
major
Also known as Mr. Psmith, R. Psmith, Sammy, Sampson, Sammy Psmith, Sam, Even Psmith, LV Clearing the Air Psmith
Mike's monocled, silver-tongued Sedleigh ally, who philosophizes through crises, borrows jam on credit, and quietly turns out to have been an Eton cricket prospect himself.
Bob Jackson
supporting
Also known as Bob, Jackson, young Jackson, Dear Bob, Old Bob
Mike's elder brother and Wrykyn cricket hero, whose well-meant advice to steer clear of Wyatt lands with all the tact of a bouncer to the ribs.
Wyatt Burgess
supporting
Also known as Wyatt, Burgess, little Wyatt Burgess, J. Wyatt, old Wyatt, Good old Wyatt, James, Poor old Wyatt, Jimmy Wyatt, Poor old Jimmy
The artistic, rule-bending Wrykyn friend whose cheerful disregard for authority makes him exactly the sort of companion Bob warns Mike against.
Mr. Downing
supporting
Also known as Downing, Old Downing, old Downing, Thither Mr. Downing, Comrade Downing
Sedleigh's suspicious housemaster, whose portrait of his dog becomes the flashpoint for a war of denial, evidence, and unexpected confession.
Adair
supporting
Also known as This Adair, Comrade Adair, Comrades Adair, Mr. Adair
Sedleigh's fiercely devoted cricket captain, who has sweated since childhood to lift the school's fortunes and needs Mike's batting to do it.
Mr. Wain
minor
Also known as Wain, Suppose Wain
A master at Wrykyn who teaches classics and has a run-in with Mike.
Jellicoe
supporting
Also known as Comrade Jellicoe, Mr. Jellicoe, Jellicoe Outwood
Jellicoe is the schoolboy who owes Mike a debt of gratitude and cannot resist talking about it, even when silence would serve everyone better. Confined to the house with a bad ankle, he becomes an accidental witness and a liability, convinced Mike painted Mr. Downing's bull terrier and delighted by the mischief. His well-meaning chatter threatens to expose Mike's secret, making him a small but sharp source of tension in the early Sedleigh chapters.
The Headmaster
minor
Also known as the headmaster, The headmaster
The stern headmaster of Wrykyn who expels Mike after the boat-house incident.
Neville-Smith
minor
Also known as Neville - Smith, Smith, the Smith
A Wrykyn student who is a rival for the cricket team.
Mr. Outwood
supporting
Also known as Outwood, the matron—Comrade Outwood, old Outwood, Comrade Outwood
Mr. Outwood is the mild, slightly absent-minded housemaster who claims credit for Mike's arrival at Sedleigh and beams over his athletic promise. His kindly, uncritical manner contrasts with the school's stricter authorities, and his faith in Mike adds warmth to the early chapters. Where other masters see a report full of failings, Outwood sees a future century-maker, and that generous misreading shapes how Mike is received.
Stone
minor
Also known as Stone rotting, W. J. Stone, Comrade Stone
A Sedleigh student who is a friend of Jellicoe.
Trevor
minor
Also known as Trevor
A Wrykyn student and friend of Wyatt who helps with the cricket team.
Mr. Jackson
minor
Also known as some small Jackson, Mr. Jackson, So Mr. Jackson, Jackson
Mike and Bob's father, a former Cambridge cricketer.
Firby-Smith
minor
Also known as Firby - Smith, Smith
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Appleby
minor
Also known as Mr. Appleby
A master at Wrykyn who is the target of a prank by Wyatt.
Marjory Jackson
minor
Also known as Marjory Jackson, Marjory
Mike's younger sister who writes him letters.
Spence
minor
Also known as Mr. Spence, Spence
A master at Wrykyn who coaches cricket.
Saunders
minor
Also known as Saunders
A servant at Wrykyn who assists the students.
Comrade Robinson
minor
Also known as Comrade Robinson, Robinson
A Sedleigh student and member of the fire brigade.
Spiller
minor
Also known as Comrade Spiller, Old Spiller, Spiller
A Sedleigh student who is a friend of Jellicoe.
Billy Burgess
minor
Also known as Billy Burgess, Dear old Billy, William, Bill, Billy, Burgess, old Billy, old Bill, the W. B. Burgess
Wyatt's father, a local artist and friend of the Jackson family.
Barnes
minor
Also known as Barnes, J. P. Barnes
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Dunster
minor
Also known as Dunster, Comrade Dunster
A Sedleigh student and member of the fire brigade.
Mr. Seymour
minor
Also known as Mr. Seymour, Seymour
A master at Wrykyn who is the head of Mike's house.
Marsh
minor
Also known as Marsh
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Mr. Barley
minor
Also known as eleven Mr. Barley, Mr. Barley, Dear Mr. Barley, Barley, Old Barley
A master at Wrykyn who teaches mathematics.
Mr. Smith
minor
Also known as Mr. Smith, Smith
A master at Sedleigh who teaches classics.
Clowes
minor
Also known as Clowes, One Clowes, Mr. Clowes
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Sergeant Collard
minor
Also known as Sergeant Collard
A police sergeant who investigates the boat-house incident.
Joe Jackson
minor
Also known as Joe Jackson, Joe, Jackson
Mike's cousin who plays cricket for Cambridge.
Strachan
minor
Also known as Strachan
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Willoughby Brown
minor
Also known as Willoughby, Brown, Willoughby . Brown
A Sedleigh student who is a member of the fire brigade.
Constable Butt
minor
Also known as Constable Butt, Police Constable Alfred Butt
A police constable who assists in the investigation.
Young Barlitt
minor
Also known as Young Barlitt, Barlitt, Mr. Barlitt
A Sedleigh student who is a member of the fire brigade.
Old Smith
minor
Also known as Old Smith, Smith
A Wrykyn student known for his cricketing prowess.
Uncle John
minor
Also known as John, Uncle John
Mike's uncle who hosts him during the holidays.
Comrade Jackson
minor
Also known as Comrade Jackson, Jackson
A Sedleigh student who is a member of the fire brigade.
Gazeka
minor
Also known as Gazeka, The old Gazeka, the Gazeka, The Gazeka
A nickname for a Sedleigh student, possibly Jellicoe.
Young Jackson
minor
Also known as Young Jackson, Jackson, young Jackson
A Sedleigh student and member of the fire brigade.
Ellerby
minor
Also known as Ellerby
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
De Freece
minor
Also known as de Freece, De Freece
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Mr. Butt
minor
Also known as Mr. Butt
A master at Wrykyn who teaches mathematics.
M. Jackson
minor
Also known as M. Jackson, Decidedly M., Jackson, the M. Jackson, Hassall 33 M. Jackson
A Sedleigh student who is a member of the fire brigade.
Little Willie
minor
Also known as little Willie, Wilson, the invisible Wilson, Willie
A Sedleigh student who is a friend of Jellicoe.
Grant
minor
Also known as Grant, Fortunately Grant
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Morris
minor
Also known as Morris
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Shoeblossom
minor
Also known as Shoeblossom
A Sedleigh student who is a friend of Jellicoe.
Phyllis
minor
Also known as Phyllis
A girl Mike meets during the holidays.
Riglett
minor
Also known as Riglett
A Sedleigh student who is a friend of Jellicoe.
Joe
minor
Also known as Joe, Mr. Joe, Master Joe
A servant at Wrykyn who helps the students.
Berridge
minor
Also known as Berridge
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Edmund
minor
Also known as Edmund
A Wrykyn student and friend of Wyatt.
Mrs. Jackson
minor
Also known as Mrs. Jackson
Mike and Bob's mother.
Mr. Shields
minor
Also known as Mr. Shields, Shields
A master at Wrykyn who teaches mathematics.
Henfrey
minor
Also known as Henfrey
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Maclaine
minor
Also known as Maclaine
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Markby
minor
Also known as Markby
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Lionel Tremayne
minor
Also known as Lionel Tremayne, Lionel
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Donaldson
minor
Also known as Donaldson
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Burton
minor
Also known as Burton
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Mr. Wyatt
minor
Also known as Mr. Wyatt, Wyatt
Wyatt's father, a local artist.
Gladys Maud Evangeline
minor
Also known as Gladys Maud Evangeline, Gladys Maud
A girl Mike meets during the holidays.
George
minor
Also known as George, Master John George, John
A servant at Wrykyn who helps the students.
Jenkins
minor
Also known as Jenkins
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Macpherson
minor
Also known as Macpherson, MacPherson
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Ella
minor
Also known as Ella, Ella cheeked Mademoiselle
A French maid at the Jackson household.
Ashe
minor
Also known as Ashe
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Berry
minor
Also known as Berry
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Devenish
minor
Also known as Devenish
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Porter Robinson
minor
Also known as Porter, Porter Robinson
A Sedleigh student who is a member of the fire brigade.
Reggie
minor
Also known as Reggie
A Wrykyn student and friend of Wyatt.
Jack Langdale
minor
Also known as Jack Langdale, Jack
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Chester
minor
Also known as Chester, poor old Chester
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Edwin
minor
Also known as Edwin
A Wrykyn student and friend of Wyatt.
Simpson
minor
Also known as Simpson
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Sharpe
minor
Also known as Sharpe
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
Young Ernie
minor
Also known as young Ernie
A Sedleigh student who is a friend of Jellicoe.
Bruce
minor
Also known as Bruce
A Wrykyn student and member of the cricket team.
