# John Bull — The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. character guide

> John Bull in The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. by Washington Irving.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** John, honest John Bull

**First appearance:** 0032-john-bull

## Who they are

The stout, cudgel-bearing personification of England itself, a caricature the English have embraced so fondly that they now strive to live up to it.

## Relationships

### [Old Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sketchbook_of_geoffrey_crayon_gent_se/characters/old_tom)

_friendship_

John Bull and Old Tom are depicted as companionable, traditional English characters sharing a rustic camaraderie.

### [Geoffrey Crayon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sketchbook_of_geoffrey_crayon_gent_se/characters/geoffrey_crayon)

_friendship_

Geoffrey observes John Bull as a personification of the sturdy, honest Englishman and enjoys his company.

### [Geoffrey Crayon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sketchbook_of_geoffrey_crayon_gent_se/characters/geoffrey_crayon)

_friendship_

Geoffrey observes John Bull as a personification of the sturdy, honest Englishman and enjoys his company.

### [Old Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sketchbook_of_geoffrey_crayon_gent_se/characters/old_tom)

_friendship_

John Bull and Old Tom are depicted as companionable, traditional English characters sharing a rustic camaraderie.

## In the story

### [Little Britain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sketchbook_of_geoffrey_crayon_gent_se/chapters/little-britain)

Referenced as the embodiment of true English character, with Little Britain described as the stronghold of 'true John Bullism'.

### [John Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sketchbook_of_geoffrey_crayon_gent_se/chapters/john-bull)

The personification of the English nation, depicted as a sturdy, corpulent old fellow with a three-cornered hat, red waistcoat, leather breeches, and stout oaken cudgel. He is plain, blunt, jolly, and prone to prejudice, but also generous and kind-hearted.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sketchbook_of_geoffrey_crayon_gent_se/characters/john_bull
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sketchbook_of_geoffrey_crayon_gent_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sketchbook_of_geoffrey_crayon_gent_se/characters