The Clever Woman of the Family · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Clever Woman of the Family by Charlotte M. Yonge.
Skim names here — open a free preview to see character cards and Character Web beside the page as you read.
Rachel Curtis
major
Also known as Rachel, Aunt Rachel, Miss Curtis, Miss Rachel, Miss Rachel Curtis
Rachel Curtis is the restless intellect of the Curtis household, chafing against the ornamental role expected of a clergyman's daughter while her gentler sister Fanny drifts through life. She longs for serious work and seizes causes with more zeal than judgment, mortifying her family and testing her own convictions. Her hunger to be useful — and her prickly pride when thwarted — drives the novel's central questions about what cleverness is actually for.
Alick Keith
major
Also known as Alick, poor Alick, dear Alick, Keith
Captain Alick Keith arrives in the neighbourhood as nephew to the respected Colonel, moving easily among the Curtis circle with an offhand manner that masks real steadiness. He teases Rachel's grand theories while quietly proving more practically useful than she is — fetching doctors, reading symptoms, keeping his head. His understated competence and unreadable humour make him the counterweight to her impulsive idealism, and the relationship that will test what she really values.
Fanny Temple
major
Also known as Fanny, poor Fanny, Francie, Grace
Fanny Temple has been protected her whole life — first by her mother, then by a doting elderly husband who spared her every trouble, and now by the well-meaning friends who manage her affairs. Left with children and no experience of decision, she drifts between gratitude and vague anxiety, unable to act alone. Her passive sweetness throws Rachel's restless energy into sharp relief and gives the novel its sharpest case study in what happens when women are never taught to stand.
Ermine Williams
major
Also known as Ermine, Rose Ermine Williams, Miss Ermine
Ermine Williams lives retired with her sister Alison and young Rose, her invalidism no bar to a lively, ironic intelligence that Alick Keith treats as family and Rachel cannot quite read. She listens more than she speaks, and her gentle composure conceals both old sorrow and an unspoken understanding with Colonel Keith. Her presence gives the novel its standard of sense and sympathy — the woman Rachel might become if she learned patience.
Rose Williams
supporting
Also known as Rosie, Rose, little Rose, Tempest Rose
Little Rose Williams plays quietly under Ermine's care, presenting her doll Violetta to visitors and laughing at the notion of making noise. She is the household's sunlight, but her history — including a cruel maid who once ill-used her — surfaces in adult conversation with consequences no one yet foresees. Her innocence and vulnerability anchor the story's concern with how the weak are treated and protected.
Aunt Ermine
supporting
Also known as Ermine, dear Ermine
Aunt Ermine presides over the Williams household with the wisdom of years and a sympathy that draws out confidences others cannot. She is the listener to whom Fanny's guarded history finally spills, and the steady eye that sees through youthful self-deception. Her quiet influence shapes the moral atmosphere in which the younger characters must learn to judge themselves.
Bessie Keith
supporting
Also known as Bessie, dear little Bessie, Bessie Keith
A dark-eyed, teasing young woman whose saucy banter with her brother Alick unsettles Rachel Curtis's solemn self-image the moment they meet at the station.
Alison Williams
supporting
Also known as Alison, Miss Williams, poor Alison, Miss Alison Williams
Ermine's quiet, unformed sister, who carries burdens of loyalty and uncertainty while watching the Curtis household's dramas from its edges.
Lady Temple
supporting
Also known as the perplexed Lady Temple, dear Lady Temple, Dear little Lady Temple
A gentle, easily flustered widow whose soft manner conceals a startling capacity for decisive action when children are being cruelly used.
Colonel Keith
major
Also known as Colonel, Alexander Keith, young Alexander
A bearded, sage military officer whose presence at Avonmouth quietly reshapes Rachel Curtis's thinking and whose motives she cannot quite read.
Sir Edward Morden
supporting
Also known as Edward, Sir Edward, Sir Edward Morden, Edward Williams
A grey-haired baronet and magistrate whose considerate tone in court proves more devastating to Rachel than any stranger's open scorn.
Conrade Temple
minor
Also known as Conrade, Conrade Temple, dear Conrade
A young man, possibly a relative of Lady Temple, who is a friend of the family.
Lord Keith
minor
Also known as the late Lord Keith, Gowanbrae, my poor old Lord Keith, Keith of Gowanbrae
Deceased patriarch of the Keith family, often referenced in connection to Gowanbrae.
Mrs. Curtis
supporting
Also known as Gentle Mrs. Curtis, Poor Mrs. Curtis, poor perplexed Mrs. Curtis
Rachel and Fanny's gentle, overwhelmed widowed mother, who insists the family present an unassailable front even as her nerves fray beneath it.
Mr. Mauleverer
supporting
Also known as Mauleverer, the consenting Mr. Mauleverer
Mr. Mauleverer moves through the Curtis family's charitable schemes as an inspector and authority, his name the password that admits or bars visitors at the asylum. His smooth, artistic manner and convenient vagueness about the children's bruises and the F.U.E.E.'s standing leave Rachel gratified but uneasy, since she would rather guide him than be managed by him. His ambiguous role tests how far good intentions and plausible credentials can carry a reformer before the rules—and the truth—catch up.
Colin Keith
supporting
Also known as Colin, Colin A. Keith, Dear Colin, Mrs. Colin Keith
Colin Keith returns from the East to find his brother broken in health and spirits, burdened by a young son and by guardianship schemes designed to check every claimant. In the midst of that unceasing trouble he presses Ermine for a swift, plain wedding, offering her his poverty and lameness as frankly as his love. His loyalty to his brother and his blunt, unornamented devotion make him the steady counterweight to the novel's schemes and suspicions, and the marriage he proposes is a gamble on plainness over parade.
Mr. Clare
minor
Also known as Mr. Clare
A clergyman who appears in the narrative, possibly connected to the parish.
Mr. Touchett
minor
Also known as Poor Mr. Touchett, poor Mr. Touchett
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or relative.
Mrs. Tibbie
minor
Also known as Tibbie
A servant or housekeeper in one of the households, speaks with a Scottish dialect.
Mrs. Kelland
minor
Also known as Sundays Mrs. Kelland
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.
Lovedy Kelland
minor
Also known as Poor Lovedy Kelland, Lovedy, poor Lovedy, little Lovedy
A young girl, possibly a daughter of Mrs. Kelland, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Mitchell
minor
Also known as Mr. Mitchell
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Grace Curtis
minor
Also known as Grace
A young woman, possibly a relative of Rachel and Fanny, who appears in the narrative.
Miss Wellwood
minor
Also known as Miss Wellwood
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Emily Grey
minor
Also known as Emily, Emmie
A young woman, possibly a relative of Mr. Grey, who appears in the narrative.
Mrs. Carleton
minor
Also known as young Carleton
A woman, possibly the mother of Charlie Carleton, who appears in the narrative.
Zack
minor
Also known as Zachary
A man, possibly a servant or acquaintance, who appears in the narrative.
Major Keith
minor
Also known as the Major, Keith
A military officer of the Keith family, possibly a relative of Colonel Keith.
Francis Temple
minor
Also known as Francis
A man, possibly a relative of Lady Temple, who appears in the narrative.
Isabel Menteith
minor
Also known as Menteith, Isabel
A woman, possibly a relative of Mrs. Comyn Menteith, who appears in the narrative.
Captain Keith
minor
Also known as Alexander Keith, Captain Alexander Keith, Alexander
A military officer, possibly a relative of Colonel Keith, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Maddox
minor
Also known as Maddox
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a servant or tradesman.
Mr. Grey
minor
Also known as Mr. Grey
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Lady Alison Beauchamp
minor
Also known as the Lady Alison Beauchamp, Lady Alison, Beauchamp, dear Lady Alison
A noblewoman, possibly a relative of the Keiths, who appears in the narrative.
Violetta Williams
minor
Also known as Miss Williams, the other Miss Williams, Miss Violetta Williams, Miss Violetta
Another sister of Ermine and Alison, possibly the youngest.
Aunt Alison
minor
Also known as Alison
An elderly aunt of the Williams sisters, possibly a relative living with them.
Aunt Ailie
minor
Also known as Ailie, O Ailie
An elderly aunt, possibly of the Keith family, who speaks with a Scottish dialect.
Sir Stephen Temple
minor
Also known as General Sir Stephen Temple, Sir Stephen Temple, Stephen, dear Sir Stephen
A general, possibly Lady Temple's husband or relative, who appears in the narrative.
Maria Hatherton
minor
Also known as Maria, Hatherton, poor Maria, May
A young woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend of the family.
Lady Keith
minor
Also known as A Keith
A member of the Keith family, possibly the wife of Colonel Keith.
Maister Colin
minor
Also known as Colin
A young boy, possibly a relative of the Keiths, who appears in the narrative.
Francis
minor
Also known as Master Francis, King Francis
A historical figure referenced in the narrative, possibly in a story or allusion.
Mary Morris
minor
Also known as Mary, little Mary, the frightened Mary, Little Mary Morris, old Morris
A young girl, possibly a servant or a child in the village, who appears in the narrative.
Harry Beauchamp
minor
Also known as Harry, Beauchamp, honest Harry
A young man, possibly a relative of Lady Alison Beauchamp, who appears in the narrative.
Mrs. Comyn Menteith
minor
Also known as this Comyn Menteith, Mrs. Menteith, Menteith
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Hubert
minor
Also known as Robert Bruce
A historical figure referenced in the narrative, possibly in a story or allusion.
Poor Ailie
minor
Also known as Ailie, dear Ailie
A woman, possibly a servant or relative, who appears in the narrative.
Young Mr. Keith
minor
Also known as Mr. Keith, young Keith
A young man of the Keith family, possibly a relative of Colonel Keith.
Mr. Williams
minor
Also known as the said Mr. Williams
A man, possibly the father of the Williams sisters, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Mr. Lifford
minor
Also known as Lifford
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Mrs. Rawlins
minor
Also known as Mrs. Rawlins
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.
Mamma
minor
Also known as mamma, Joanna Baillie 'Mamma'
A mother figure, possibly of one of the main characters, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Mrs. Rossitur
minor
Also known as Rossitur
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Una
minor
Also known as little Una, that little witch Una
A young girl, possibly a child in the village, who appears in the narrative.
Coombe
minor
Also known as the astonished Coombe
A servant or attendant who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Harvey
minor
Also known as Harvey
A character who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Meg
minor
Also known as Meg
A woman, possibly a servant or relative, who appears in the narrative.
Miss Keith
minor
Also known as Miss Keith
A young woman of the Keith family, possibly a sister or daughter.
Mrs. Huntsford
minor
Also known as Mrs. Huntsford
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a neighbor or acquaintance.
Mr. Beauchamp
minor
Also known as Beauchamp
A man, possibly a relative of Lady Alison Beauchamp, who appears in the narrative.
Uncle George
minor
Also known as Uncle George
An uncle of one of the main characters, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Charlie Carleton
minor
Also known as Charlie, Carleton, Charles Carleton
A young man, possibly a friend or relative, who appears in the narrative.
Don
minor
Also known as poor Don, Donald
A man, possibly a servant or acquaintance, who appears in the narrative.
Elizabeth Keith
minor
Also known as Elizabeth
A woman of the Keith family, possibly a relative, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Leoline
minor
Also known as quoth Leoline
A character from a poem or story, referenced in the narrative.
Dr. Macvicar
minor
Also known as Macvicar
A doctor who appears in the narrative, possibly attending to a character.
Papa
minor
Also known as Papa
A father figure, possibly of one of the main characters, who is mentioned in the narrative.
Mrs. Morris
minor
Also known as tearful Mrs. Morris
A woman, possibly the mother of Mary Morris, who appears in the narrative.
Dr. Long
minor
Also known as Dr. Long
A doctor who appears in the narrative, possibly attending to a character.
Fanny Curtis
minor
Also known as Fanny, poor Fanny, Curtis
A young woman, possibly a relative of Rachel, who appears in the narrative.
Uncle Colin
minor
Also known as Uncle Colin
An uncle of one of the main characters, possibly of the Keith family.
Wilfred
minor
Also known as Little Wilfred, little Wilfred
A young boy, possibly a child in the narrative, who appears briefly.
Ranger
minor
Also known as Ranger
A dog or a person, possibly a servant, who appears in the narrative.
Alexander Clare
minor
Also known as Alexander
A man, possibly a relative of Mr. Clare, who appears in the narrative.
Richard Maddox
minor
Also known as Richard, Maddox
A man, possibly a relative of Mr. Maddox, who appears in the narrative.
Stephana Temple
minor
Also known as little Stephana, Stephana
A young girl, possibly a relative of Lady Temple, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Davison
minor
Also known as that good Mr. Davison
A man, possibly a clergyman or friend, who appears in the narrative.
Mrs. Grey
minor
Also known as Mrs. Grey
A woman, possibly the wife of Mr. Grey, who appears in the narrative.
Master Alick
minor
Also known as Alick
A young boy, possibly a younger version of Alick Keith, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Carleton
minor
Also known as young Carleton
A man, possibly the father of Charlie Carleton, who appears in the narrative.
Cyril
minor
Also known as little Cyril
A young boy, possibly a child in the narrative, who appears briefly.
Mr. Frampton
minor
Also known as Mr. Frampton
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Augustus
minor
Also known as Augustus
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Julia
minor
Also known as Julia
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Mr. Villars
minor
Also known as Villars, the obliging Mr. Villars
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Nurse Jones
minor
Also known as Nurse Jones
A nurse who appears in the narrative, possibly caring for a child.
Mr. Beechum
minor
Also known as Beechum
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Joe
minor
Also known as Joe
A man, possibly a servant or acquaintance, who appears in the narrative.
Lucy Mitchell
minor
Also known as Lucy
A young woman, possibly a relative of Mr. Mitchell, who appears in the narrative.
Jessie Douglas
minor
Also known as Jessie Douglas
A woman who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Mr. Murray
minor
Also known as Mr. Murray
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Martin
minor
Also known as This Martin
A man, possibly a servant or acquaintance, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Spicer
minor
Also known as Poor Mr. Spicer
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a friend or acquaintance.
Miss Grey
minor
Also known as Miss Grey
A young woman, possibly a relative of Mr. Grey, who appears in the narrative.
Mr. Dean
minor
Also known as Mr. Dean
A man who appears in the narrative, possibly a clergyman or friend.
