Pudd'nhead Wilson

Tom Driscoll

Wilson is a clever amateur detective who becomes Tom's antagonist, ultimately exposing Tom's true identity and crimes.

Roxana

Wilson and Roxana have a distant acquaintance; Wilson is aware of her secret but does not actively engage with her.

Judge Driscoll

Judge Driscoll is one of the few townspeople who respects Wilson's intellect and supports him socially.

Constable Blake

Constable Blake works with Wilson as a law enforcement officer, respecting Wilson's detective skills.

John Buckstone

John Buckstone is a local lawyer who occasionally collaborates with Wilson on legal matters.

Tom Driscoll

Wilson is a clever amateur detective who becomes Tom's antagonist, ultimately exposing Tom's true identity and crimes.

Tom Driscoll

Wilson is a clever amateur detective who becomes Tom's antagonist, ultimately exposing Tom's true identity and crimes.

Judge Driscoll

Judge Driscoll is one of the few townspeople who respects Wilson's intellect and supports him socially.

John Buckstone

John Buckstone is a local lawyer who occasionally collaborates with Wilson on legal matters.

Constable Blake

Constable Blake works with Wilson as a law enforcement officer, respecting Wilson's detective skills.

Roxana

Wilson and Roxana have a distant acquaintance; Wilson is aware of her secret but does not actively engage with her.

Constable Blake

Constable Blake works with Wilson as a law enforcement officer, respecting Wilson's detective skills.

A Whisper to the Reader

Referenced via his Calendar entry at the start of the chapter.

Pudd'nhead Wilson

Introduced as a young lawyer from New York who settles in Dawson's Landing; his ironic remark about a dog earns him the nickname 'Pudd'nhead.'

I: Pudd'nhead Wins His Name

Introduced as Mr. David Wilson, a young lawyer from New York who earns the nickname 'Pudd'nhead' after a misunderstood remark about a dog.

II: Driscoll Spares His Slaves

Continues his fingerprint collection and studies them obsessively; overhears Roxy and Jasper's conversation.

III: Roxy Plays a Shrewd Trick

Takes the fingerprints of the babies, but fails to notice the switch, much to Roxy's relief.

IV: The Ways of the Changelings

Wilson chats with Roxy and Jasper, offering to copy the boys' fingerprints. He suspects Roxy's superstition about his 'glass mystery' when she declines.

The Twins Thrill Dawson's Landing

Continues to work on his whimsical almanac, which is misunderstood by the townspeople, reinforcing his reputation as a 'pudd'nhead'.

VII: The Unknown Nymph

Observes a mysterious young woman in Tom Driscoll's room and later hosts the twins, gaining their friendship.

X: The Nymph Revealed

Wilson observes Tom in disguise from his window, puzzling over the 'strange apparition' of a girl in Tom's bedroom. He remains suspicious and continues to investigate.

XI: Pudd'nhead's Startling Discovery

Hosts the twins, shares his Calendar, and demonstrates his fingerprint collection. He is taunted by Tom but remains composed.

The Shame of Judge Driscoll

Mentioned as having defended Count Luigi in court and lost his first case.

Tom Stares at Ruin

Offers Tom counsel, deduces the thefts are connected, and reveals a plan to recover the dagger; accepts the Democratic party's nomination for mayor.

XIV: Roxana Insists Upon Reform

Serves as Count Luigi's second in the duel.

XV: The Robber Robbed

Wilson is now a respected lawyer and mayoral candidate, but is unsettled by Tom's insinuations that his reward scheme failed and that the twins may have deceived him.

The Judge Utters Dire Prophecy

Elected in the campaign; parries questions about the Judge's remark.

XIX: The Prophecy Realized

Takes charge of the crime scene, examines fingerprints on the knife, deduces the twins are innocent, and reflects on Judge Driscoll's infatuation with Tom.

The Murderer Chuckles

Defense counsel for the twins; struggles with the lack of evidence and is stunned when he discovers a crucial fingerprint clue on a glass strip.

Doom

Delivers the climactic fingerprint evidence, revealing the switched identities and Tom's guilt.

Conclusion

Celebrated by the town, his long fight against prejudice ends; he becomes a made man.