Character guide

George Colwan

major

Also known as Mr. Colwan, the younger George Colwan, Colwan, Mr. George Colwan, the accomplished George Colwan, the said George Colwan

Heir to Dalcastle, a droll and careless young laird whose easy temper collides with the grim predestinarian zeal of his own household.

Robert Wringhim

major

Also known as Mr. Robert Wringhim Colwan, young Wringhim, Robert Wringhim Colwan, the notorious Robert Wringhim, the Rev. Robert Wringhim, the profound Mr. Wringhim, the Rev. Mr. Wringhim, the important Mr. Wringhim, the precious Mr. R. Wringhim

Raised on his mother's overstrained doctrines of election, he grows up certain of his own salvation and dangerously untroubled by everyone else's.

Mrs. Logan

supporting

A servant in the Colwan household whose watchful eye and plain speech make her a quiet witness to the family's strangest and most troubling hours.

John Barnet

supporting

Also known as old Barnet, Barnet, John Barnet, old John Barnet

An old and faithful servant of the Colwans, steady in a house where piety and temper are forever at odds, and observant of what masters overlook.

Thomas Drummond

supporting

Also known as Mr. Drummond, young Drummond, the Honourable Thomas Drummond, Tom

A well-born young friend of George Colwan, drawn into the family's quarrels by loyalty, sociability, and the dangerous company he keeps.

Mrs. Calvert

supporting

Also known as O Mrs. Calvert, Calvert

A woman who moves through the Colwan circle carrying knowledge of its darker secrets, and whose discretion is worth more than most people's honesty.

Mr. Blanchard

supporting

Also known as a Mr. Blanchard, old Mr. Blanchard

Mr. Blanchard belongs to the respectable ministerial world that Robert's household both courts and scorns, a man whose orthodoxy is tempered by ordinary charity. When he questions the young Wringhim's conviction that he is among the elect, he becomes the first living obstacle to Robert's spiritual vanity. His confrontation establishes, early on, that Robert's doctrine is not merely private delusion but something other people can see and fear.

Miss Logan

minor

Also known as a Miss Logan

A relative of Mrs. Logan, assisting in her investigations.

M'Gill

minor

A lawyer involved in the legal affairs of the Colwan estate.

Lady Dalcastle

minor

Also known as Dalcastle

The mother of George Colwan, a figure from the past with a troubled history.

James Hogg

minor

Also known as James, Hogg

The author who appears as a character in the framing narrative.

Master Whigham

minor

A schoolmaster who interacts with the young Robert Wringhim.

Adam Gordon

minor

Also known as Gordon, Mr. Adam Gordon

A friend of George Colwan, present during the fatal duel.

Mr. James Watson

minor

Also known as a Mr. James Watson, Mr. Watson, Watson

A printer involved in publishing the confessions.

Gil-Martin

major

Also known as Gil

Gil-Martin enters Robert's life as a companion who seems to know him before being introduced, matching his religious fervour with an unsettling eagerness to approve it. He can resemble whomever he chooses, and his counsel always bends toward certainty, election, and the removal of obstacles. Whether he is devil, delusion, or something stranger, his hold over Robert drives the middle of the book toward acts the reader dreads and cannot look away from.

Old Dal

minor

Also known as Dal

A nickname for the Laird of Dalcastle, father of George.

Martha

minor

A servant in the Colwan household.

Arabella Calvert

minor

Also known as Bell Calvert, ane Bell Calvert, the unfortunate Arabella Calvert, Tibbie

A woman with a past connected to the Colwan family.

James Anderson

minor

Also known as Mr. Anderson, Mr. James Anderson

A minister who appears in the narrative.

Baillie Orde

minor

Also known as a Baillie Orde

A magistrate involved in the legal proceedings.

Robin Ruthven

minor

Also known as honest Robin Ruthven

A local man who provides information about the Colwan family history.

Andrew Handyside

minor

Also known as Handyside

A servant who witnesses key events and reports them.

Samuel Scrape

minor

Also known as Scrape, Samuel, behold Samuel

A minor character who appears in the narrative.

Linkum

minor

Also known as Lawyer Linkum

A lawyer who represents Robert Wringhim in legal matters.

Sir Thomas Wallace of Craigie

minor

Also known as Sir Thomas

A historical figure mentioned in the narrative.

Tam Douglas

minor

A local man who provides testimony.

Johnny Dods

minor

Also known as Johnny

A servant who assists in the narrative.

Mrs. Colwan

minor

The mother of George Colwan, mentioned in the family history.

Mr. David Anderson

minor

Also known as a Mr. Anderson

A minister who interacts with Robert Wringhim.

Lord Craigie

minor

A judge in the legal case.

Mr. Wilson

minor

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

Mrs. Keeler

minor

A woman who appears in the narrative.

Penpunt

minor

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.

Rabina

minor

A minor female character.

Auld John

minor

An old servant mentioned in the narrative.

Walker

minor

A minor character mentioned in the narrative.