Character guide

Barry Lyndon

major

Also known as Redmond Barry, Barry, Mr. Barry, Mr. Lyndon, Chevalier Barry, Chevalier Redmond Barry, Redmond de Balibari, the Chevalier Redmond de Balibari

Barry narrates his own memoirs with swagger and selective memory, styling himself a gentleman of honour while the editor's footnotes quietly expose the borrowed money, the doubtful duels, and the wife he bullies and betrays. His charm is real and so is his ruthlessness; the tension between the two is the engine of the book. He matters because Thackeray lets a rogue tell his own story, and the reader must decide how much of the glitter to believe.

Lady Lyndon

major

Also known as Lyndon, Lady Saccharissa Lyndon, Countess Lyndon, Countess of Lyndon, Honoria Lyndon

A widow of fortune and fragile nerves, she drifts through Dublin and London while Barry bribes servants, reads her correspondence, and stages coincidences until she feels hunted by fate itself. She writes of his serpent-like eyes and her own terror, half repelled and half fascinated. Her wealth is the prize that lifts Barry into the aristocracy, and her timid, clinging temperament becomes both his instrument and his burden.

Nora Brady

supporting

Also known as Miss Honoria Brady, Honoria, Brady, Miss Nora, Miss Nora Brady, Nora

Nora is the first tender passion of Barry's memoir, a girl whose family weighs suitors by their incomes, and Captain Quin's fifteen hundred a year outweighs a landless cousin's ardour. The duel that follows is staged, the wound is tow, and Nora marries the captain while Barry is shipped off to the army. Her practical choice, revealed to him only later, is the first lesson in how little romance counts against money.

Captain Quin

supporting

Also known as John, Quin, Captain John Quin, Mr. Quin, Jack Quin

Quin is the rival whose income makes him irresistible to the Brady family, and the duel with Barry is quietly arranged so that no one need die and the inconvenient cousin can be got out of Ireland. He recovers, marries Nora, and pays off the mortgage at Castle Brady, converting humiliation into settlement. His reappearance later in the narrative reminds Barry, and the reader, that the man he once shot with tow has a long memory and a long purse.

Captain Fagan

supporting

Also known as Fagan, Mr. Fagan

Fagan is the friendly face that makes army life bearable for a humiliated Barry, exchanging into his company and quietly writing to his mother on his behalf. He is the one who tells Barry that Nora has married Quin, that the duel was a sham, and that the Bradys chose the mortgage over the boy. Blunt, good-humoured, and unsentimental, he embodies the practical Irish world Barry leaves behind and keeps half-longing for.

Lord Bullingdon

supporting

Also known as young Lord Bullingdon, little Lord Bullingdon, Bullingdon, Viscount Bullingdon, Master Bullingdon

Young Bullingdon watches his mother's new husband spend her income, bully her into signing away her property, and parade his infidelities, and he learns to hate with patience. Barry dismisses him as a scoundrel and a plague, but the boy holds the one card that cannot be taken from him: the inheritance. His silent, accumulating resentment is the counterweight to Barry's bluster, and the reader senses early that the stepson will outlast the adventurer.

Bryan Lyndon

supporting

Also known as little Bryan Latin, Bryan, little Bryan, poor Bryan, Master Bryan

Barry and Lady Lyndon's adored young son, whose existence becomes both the proudest boast and the most precarious stake in his father's climb.

Ulick Brady

supporting

Also known as Lieutenant Ulick Brady, Ulick, Master Ulick, big Ulick, Honest Ulick

Barry's hot-blooded cousin and Nora's brother, a soldier whose reckless pride drags the family name into scandal and sets Barry's own fortunes moving.

Michael Brady

supporting

Also known as Mick, honest Mick, Mick Brady, Brady, Master Mick, Mr. Mick

Barry's uncle and the Bradys' threadbare squire, a decent man whose small estate and smaller prospects make his nephew's grand airs both comic and dangerous.

Chevalier de Magny

supporting

Also known as Monsieur de Magny, Magny, Old Magny, Maxime, Maxime de Magny, de Magny

A quick-tempered French gambler and court favorite whose easy money and fatal carelessness make him Barry's rival at the faro table and pawn of the police.

George Poynings

supporting

Also known as Lord George Poynings, poor Lord George, young Poynings, Lord George, Poynings

A young English lord whose friendship and fortune open doors for Barry across Europe, and whose fate tests how far Barry's loyalty actually reaches.

Countess Ida

supporting

Also known as The Countess Ida

A guarded German countess at the court of X⸺, whose fortune and melancholy make her the object of Barry's scheming courtship and the court's watchful gossip.

Princess Olivia

supporting

Also known as Olivia, the poor Princess Olivia

A German princess whose tenderness turns to contempt between one Mall stroll and the next, and whose fortune Barry means to spend.

Sir Charles Lyndon

supporting

Also known as Sir Charles Reginald Lyndon, Sir Charles, the deceased Sir Charles Lyndon

Sir Charles Lyndon holds the title, the estate, and the wife that Barry Lyndon covets, and he holds them badly: he bullies Lady Lyndon into signing away her property, spends the proceeds in taverns, and keeps his children from her as a threat. His cruelty is the quiet engine of the marriage plot, since every cruelty he commits makes his widow easier for Barry to court and his fortune easier to seize. He matters because Barry's rise depends less on charm than on the vacancy Sir Charles leaves behind.

Mrs. Barry

supporting

Also known as the defunct Barry, Harry Barry, Mrs. Harry Barry

Mrs. Barry is the voice in Redmond's ear that keeps his self-regard polished, insisting on the family's ancient claims and the greatness he is owed. Her pride is both a gift and a poison: she feeds his ambition when prudence would counsel retreat, and she is the one who supplies the pedigree and the pretensions he later wields in London. She matters because Barry's sense of his own deserts, the engine of every misadventure, is her handiwork as much as his.

Rev. Mr. Runt

supporting

Also known as Mr. Runt, Runt, the Reverend Mr. Runt, Poor Runt

The Reverend Mr. Runt occupies the modest, respectable place in Lady Lyndon's household that Barry means to displace, serving as chaplain and as tutor to young Bullingdon. He is fussy, anxious, and easily cowed, which makes him the perfect foil for a man who mistakes bullying for strength. His quiet presence measures how far Barry has fallen from any real gentility, and his loyalty to the boy gives the household a conscience Barry cannot buy.

Captain Fitzsimons

minor

Also known as Fitzsimons, the odious Fitzsimons, Mr. Fitzsimons

Irish officer and associate of Barry in the gambling world.

Monsieur de Balibari

minor

Also known as Balibari, the Chevalier de Balibari, Chevalier de Balibari

Mysterious gambler and possible relative of Barry at European courts.

Prince Victor

minor

Also known as the Prince Victor, Duke Victor, the Duke Victor

German prince who employs Barry as a secret agent.

Monsieur de Potzdorff

minor

Also known as Monsieur George von Potzdorff, George, Captain de Potzdorff, Captain Potzdorff, Potzdorff

German officer and rival of Barry in gambling and love.

Madame de Liliengarten

minor

Mistress of a German prince who befriends Barry at court.

Count Alessandro Pippi

minor

Also known as Pippi, the scoundrel Pippi

Italian adventurer and gambler who crosses paths with Barry.

Roaring Harry Barry

minor

Also known as Roaring Harry, Harry Barry, Harry

Barry's legendary father, a reckless Irish gentleman killed in a duel.

Lord Tiptoff

minor

Also known as Tiptoff, old Tiptoff, Old Lady Tiptoff, the Marquess of Tiptoff

English nobleman and relative of Lady Lyndon who opposes Barry.

Phil Purcell

minor

Also known as Phil, Poor Phil Purcell

Irish friend of Barry who accompanies him in his early adventures.

Stoney Bowes

minor

Also known as Stoney, Bowes

Notorious Irish fortune-hunter and contemporary of Barry.

Old Fritz

minor

Also known as Fritz

German soldier and veteran who befriends Barry in the army.

Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick

minor

Also known as Prince Ferdinand

Prussian general under whom Barry serves during the Seven Years' War.

Mrs. Brady

minor

Also known as Brady, Madam Brady, Honoured Madam

Barry's aunt and mother of Nora and Ulick Brady.

Princess Frederica Amelia

minor

Also known as Amalia, the Princess Frederica Amelia, Frederica Amelia

German princess who takes an interest in Barry at court.

Lord Deuceace

minor

Also known as my Lord Deuceace, My Lord Deuceace, Deuceace

Young English nobleman and gambler who associates with Barry.

Lord Bagwig

minor

English nobleman whose table Barry frequents in London.

Nick the Huntsman

minor

Also known as Old Nick

Huntsman at Castle Brady in Barry's youth.

Lieutenant Rawson

minor

Also known as Rawson, Lieutenant

British officer who serves with Barry in the army.

General de Magny

minor

Also known as the old General de Magny, old General de Magny, General de Magny

Father of the Chevalier de Magny, an old French military officer.

Monsieur de Galgenstein

minor

Also known as Galgenstein

German nobleman and rival at the court where Barry serves.

Monsieur de Geldern

minor

Also known as Geldern, Thus Geldern

German minister involved in court intrigues with Barry.

Miss Kiljoy

minor

Also known as Miss Amelia, Amalia, Miss Amelia Kiljoy

Spinster companion to Lady Lyndon, often suspicious of Barry.

Rev. Edmund Lavender

minor

Also known as Lavender, Poor Lavender

Irish clergyman and drinking companion of Barry's early days.

Miss Bell Brady

minor

Also known as the handsome Bell Brady, Miss Bell, Bell, Bell Brady

Barry's cousin and sister of Nora, a pretty Irish girl.

Lischen

minor

Also known as Madame Lischen

German innkeeper's wife who helps Barry during his military service.

Monsieur de Weissenborn

minor

Also known as Weissenborn, M. de Weissenborn

German nobleman at the court where Barry serves as agent.

Mr. Tapewell

minor

London lawyer who handles Barry's financial and legal affairs.

Mrs. Bridget

minor

Also known as Bridget, Biddy

Servant at Castle Brady who assists Barry in his youth.

Johann Kerner

minor

Also known as Johann, Kerner

German servant who accompanies Barry during his European travels.

Lord North

minor

British Prime Minister whom Barry meets in London society.

Thackeray

minor

Also known as William Makepeace Thackeray

Author who appears as a narrator in the endnotes.

Tom Sullivan

minor

Also known as Sullivan

Irish soldier and companion of Barry in the British army.

Solomon Hirsch

minor

Also known as Sol, Solomon Hirsch

Jewish moneylender who deals with Barry in London.

Jack Bolter

minor

Also known as Jack

Irish soldier and friend of Barry during his military service.

Eugenio

minor

Italian servant who works for Barry during his European adventures.

Mr. Jowls

minor

Also known as Mister Jowls, the Reverend Mr. Jowls

Irish clergyman who appears at Castle Brady.

Old Doctor Huff

minor

Irish doctor who treats Barry after his duel with Quin.

Lord Crabs

minor

Also known as Crabs

English nobleman and associate of Barry in London gambling circles.

Bob Moriarty

minor

Irish soldier and friend of Barry in the British army.

Moses Löwe

minor

Also known as Moses, Moses Löwe, Mr. Moses Löwe, the odious Löwe, Löwe

Jewish moneylender who finances Barry's early gambling career.

Baron de Magny

minor

Also known as the old Baron de Magny, Baron de Magny

Elderly French nobleman and relative of the Chevalier de Magny.

Uncle Brady

minor

Barry's uncle and patriarch of the Brady family.

George Sackville

minor

Also known as Lord George, Lord George Sackville

British general whom Barry encounters during the Seven Years' War.

Monsieur Cornichon

minor

Also known as Cornichon

French officer who interacts with Barry during his military service.

Nabob Rigby

minor

Also known as Rigby

Wealthy Englishman and associate of Barry in London society.

Rory Barry of Barryogue

minor

Also known as Barry of Barryogue, Rory Barry of Barryogue, the Barry

Barry's ancestor and legendary Irish chieftain.

King George II

minor

Also known as George II, King George

British monarch during Barry's early military career.

Lady Nora

minor

Also known as gentle Nora

Nora Brady after her marriage to a titled gentleman.

Charles Fox

minor

Also known as Mr. Charles Fox, Charley Fox, Charley

Famous British politician whom Barry meets in London.

Calsabigi

minor

Italian gambler and associate of Barry in European gaming circles.

Zamor

minor

Black servant in the household of Lady Lyndon.

Monsieur de Strasbourg

minor

French officer who serves with Barry in the Prussian army.

Captain Thunder

minor

Also known as Thunder

British officer who commands Barry's regiment briefly.

Thady

minor

Irish servant at Castle Brady in Barry's youth.

Dark Valdez

minor

Also known as the Valdez

Spanish gambler who appears in Barry's European adventures.

Lindonira

minor

Fictional character in a play performed during Barry's time.

Lord Kilbarry

minor

Also known as the Lord Kilbarry, Kilbarry

Irish nobleman and relative of the Barry family.

Lord Viscount Castle Lyndon

minor

Also known as little Castle Lyndon, Castle Lyndon

Young son of Lady Lyndon and Sir Charles, who dies in childhood.

Mr. Splint

minor

Lawyer who assists Barry with legal matters in London.

Elizabeth Quarringdon

minor

Also known as Elizabeth, Betty, Miss Betsy Quarringdon of Clumpton

Young woman courted by Barry in his youth in Ireland.

Phaudrig Barry

minor

Also known as Phaudrig

Legendary ancestor of Barry mentioned in family history.

Lord Chatham

minor

Famous British statesman mentioned in Barry's London narrative.

Cornelius Barry

minor

Also known as Cornelius, Corney

Barry's cousin and member of the Irish Barry family.

Mr. Screw

minor

Servant in the Lyndon household who assists Barry.

Mrs. John Quin

minor

Also known as Mrs. Quin

Wife of Captain Quin after his marriage to Nora.