The Thirty-Nine Steps · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan.
Skim names here — open a free preview to see character cards and Character Web beside the page as you read.
Richard Hannay
major
Also known as Hannay, Mr. Hannay, Mr. Richard Hannay
A restless mining engineer newly returned to London, he trades dull peace for a dead man's notebook and a countrywide manhunt.
Mr. Scudder
supporting
Also known as Scudder, little Scudder, Franklin P. Scudder, Franklin Scudder
A jittery American who barges into Hannay's flat with a wild tale of conspiracy, then leaves him holding the evidence and the blame.
Sir Walter Bullivant
supporting
Also known as Sir Walter, Bullivant
The Foreign Office man Hannay pins his hopes on, a cool intelligence chief who must decide whether a fugitive's story is worth believing.
Sir Harry
minor
Also known as Harry
A friend of Hannay who provides assistance and shelter.
Mr. Turnbull
minor
Also known as Turnbull
A farmer who gives Hannay a ride and later helps him.
Karolides
minor
Also known as Constantine Karolides, Constantine, the virtuous Karolides
A Greek statesman whose assassination is part of the conspiracy.
General Royer
minor
Also known as Royer
A French general involved in the international plot.
Whittaker
minor
A journalist who helps Hannay in his escape.
Paddock
minor
A servant at the inn who assists Hannay.
Scaife
minor
Also known as So Scaife
A detective pursuing Hannay.
Peter Pienaar
supporting
Also known as old Peter Pienaar, Peter
An old Boer scout and Hannay's trusted friend from African days, whose veld cunning resurfaces when the chase turns deadly.
Lord Alloa
minor
Also known as Alloa
A British lord whose identity is used by the conspirators.
Twisdon
minor
Also known as old Tommy Twisdon
An old friend of Hannay who provides a hiding place.
MacGillivray
minor
Also known as Mr. MacGillivray
A police inspector involved in the manhunt for Hannay.
Ned Ainslie
minor
Also known as Ainslie
A friend of Hannay who helps him in London.
Mr. Appleton
minor
A man whose identity Hannay borrows while on the run.
General Winstanley
minor
Also known as Winstanley
A British general involved in the conspiracy investigation.
Bob
minor
A friend of Hannay who helps him in London.
Marmaduke Jopley
minor
Also known as Jopley, Mr. Jopley, Mr. Marmaduke Jopley
A young man who unwittingly helps Hannay escape.
Marmie
minor
A nickname for Marmaduke Jopley, used by his friends.
Thomas Arthur Nelson
minor
Also known as Tommy
A young man who helps Hannay during his escape.
