# Roger Ackroyd — The Murder of Roger Ackroyd character guide > Roger Ackroyd in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ackroyd, Mr. Ackroyd, poor Mr. Ackroyd, old Ackroyd, M. Ackroyd **First appearance:** 0003-ii-who-s-who-in-king-s-abbot ## Snapshot A wealthy widower of high-handed habits whose plans to announce a secret engagement set off a chain of resentments ending in his study. ## Who they are Ackroyd dominates Fernly Park with money, opinion, and an unforgiving temper, and his household revolves around his moods. He is generous with legacies and stingy with forgiveness, and his decision to reveal Ralph and Flora's engagement without warning proves characteristically blunt. By the time his body is found, he has already wounded nearly everyone who depended on him. ## Relationships ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _social_ Poirot is a recent acquaintance of Roger Ackroyd, having retired to the village shortly before the murder. ### [Flora Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/flora_ackroyd) _family_ Flora is Roger Ackroyd's niece and a beneficiary of his will, though their relationship is somewhat formal. ### [Geoffrey Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/geoffrey_raymond) _professional_ Geoffrey Raymond is Roger Ackroyd's secretary, handling his business affairs and correspondence. ### [Inspector Raglan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/inspector_raglan) _professional_ Inspector Raglan investigates Roger Ackroyd's murder as the lead police officer on the case. ### [Ralph Paton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/ralph_paton) _family_ Ralph Paton is Roger Ackroyd's stepson and a primary beneficiary of his will, though their relationship was strained. ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _social_ Poirot is a recent acquaintance of Roger Ackroyd, having retired to the village shortly before the murder. ### [Inspector Raglan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/inspector_raglan) _professional_ Inspector Raglan investigates Roger Ackroyd's murder as the lead police officer on the case. ### [Flora Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/flora_ackroyd) _family_ Flora is Roger Ackroyd's niece and a beneficiary of his will, though their relationship is somewhat formal. ### [Hercule Poirot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/hercule_poirot) _social_ Poirot is a recent acquaintance of Roger Ackroyd, having retired to the village shortly before the murder. ### [Ralph Paton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/ralph_paton) _family_ Ralph Paton is Roger Ackroyd's stepson and a primary beneficiary of his will, though their relationship was strained. ### [Flora Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/flora_ackroyd) _family_ Flora is Roger Ackroyd's niece and a beneficiary of his will, though their relationship is somewhat formal. ### [Geoffrey Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/geoffrey_raymond) _professional_ Geoffrey Raymond is Roger Ackroyd's secretary, handling his business affairs and correspondence. ## In the story ### [The Murder of Roger Ackroyd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/the-murder-of-roger-ackroyd) Wealthy victim who is murdered after receiving a letter from Mrs. Ferrars. ### [Who’s Who in King’s Abbot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/ii-who-s-who-in-king-s-abbot) Wealthy manufacturer and country squire; deeply affected by Mrs. Ferrars’s death and invites Sheppard to dinner. ### [The Man Who Grew Vegetable Marrows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/iii-the-man-who-grew-vegetable-marrows) Ralph's stepfather; mentioned as being angry about Ralph's behavior and potentially altering his will. ### [Dinner at Fernly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/iv-dinner-at-fernly) Reveals Mrs. Ferrars' confession and blackmail; receives a letter from her after her death. ### [V: Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/v-murder) Found dead in his armchair, stabbed from behind with a dagger; the key is in the lock on the inside. ### [XXII: Ursula’s Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xxii-ursula-s-story) Referenced as the victim; his angry reaction to Ursula's revelation and his intention to alter his will are key points in the story. ### [XXV: The Whole Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xxv-the-whole-truth) The victim; his dictaphone recording is used to fake his voice after his death. ### [And Nothing but the Truth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xxvi-and-nothing-but-the-truth) Victim; his murder is the central event being explained. ### [XXVII: Apologia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/xxvii-apologia) The victim, whose murder is confessed by Sheppard. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) His study is depicted in the crime scene layout, with his chair positioned near the fireplace. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters/roger_ackroyd - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murder_of_roger_ackroyd_se/characters