Character guide

John Maltravers

major

Also known as Sir John Maltravers, Maltravers, Worth

The protagonist, a young Oxford student who becomes obsessed with a mysterious Stradivarius violin and its dark history.

Constance Temple

major

Also known as Constance, Miss Constance Temple

John's devoted sister, who narrates the story and worries about her brother's growing obsession.

Adrian Temple

supporting

Also known as Adrian, Temple

John's close friend and fellow student, who shares his interest in music and becomes entangled in the mystery.

Mr. Gaskell

supporting

Also known as Buononcini, Mr. William Gaskell

A mysterious musician and collector who introduces John to the lost Stradivarius and its tragic past.

Mrs. Temple

supporting

Mother of John and Constance, a gentle widow who cares deeply for her children's wellbeing.

Sir Edward Maltravers

supporting

Also known as Edward, dear Edward

John's uncle and a former owner of the Stradivarius, whose mysterious death haunts the narrative.

Dr. Frobisher

supporting

Frobisher moves between the sickroom and Sophy's confidence, the one voice of medical authority in a house quietly coming apart. He can account for his patient's exhausted vitality only by guessing at excessive study or severe trouble, never suspecting the stranger causes at work. His reassurances that Sir John's brain is clear as his own become a quiet irony the reader learns to weigh against what the nights at Worth conceal.

Sophia Maltravers

supporting

Also known as Miss Sophia Maltravers, Sophy, Miss Maltravers

Writing from Bath in 1867, Sophy fulfills her brother's dying request by narrating the Oxford years to her nephew, choosing truth over the garbled versions others might supply. In her account she is both witness and guardian, tracing John's passion for the violin and his friendship with Gaskell with an affection that makes the coming darkness harder to bear. Her letter is the reader's doorway into the Maltravers inheritance, and her loyal, unsparing memory shapes how the whole story is told.

Mr. George Smart

minor

Also known as Mr. Smart, the late Mr. George Smart

A former owner of the Stradivarius whose ghostly presence is felt throughout the story.

Parnham

minor

A servant in the Maltravers household who assists John with his musical pursuits.

Raffaelle Carotenuto

minor

Also known as Raffaelle, Carotenuto

An Italian musician and former owner of the Stradivarius, whose tragic fate is revealed.

Jocelyn

minor

A friend of John's from Oxford who shares his interest in music and the occult.

Graziani

minor

An Italian musician associated with the history of the Stradivarius violin.

Johnnie

minor

A young boy who appears in the narrative, possibly a servant or local child.

Dr. Sarsdell

minor

A doctor who attends to John during his illness.

Royston

minor

A character mentioned in connection with the Maltravers family or estate.

Antonio Stradivarius

minor

Also known as Stradivarius, the nonagenarian Antonius Stradivarius

The legendary violin maker whose instrument is central to the story's mystery.

Lady Maltravers

minor

A member of the Maltravers family, mentioned in connection with the family's history.

Mr. Thoresby

minor

An acquaintance of the Maltravers family, possibly a legal or business associate.

Dr. Empson

minor

A physician consulted regarding John's condition.

Dr. Dobie

minor

Another doctor who examines John during his illness.

Palamede Domacavalli

minor

Also known as Palamede

An Italian nobleman connected to the history of the Stradivarius violin.

Mr. Butler

minor

A servant or staff member in the Maltravers household.