The Thirty-Nine Steps · Character
MacGillivray
A police inspector involved in the manhunt for Hannay.
minor
Also known as Mr. MacGillivray
First appearance: ii the milkman sets out on his travels
MacGillivray's tie to Sir Walter Bullivant is one of the pressures that moves The Thirty-Nine Steps—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
The Scotland Yard official who clears Hannay of the murder charge.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
With Sir Walter Bullivant (professional): MacGillivray is a police or intelligence official cooperating with Bullivant on the investigation. With General Royer (professional): Royer and MacGillivray coordinate on…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of MacGillivray sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See MacGillivray in ii the milkman sets out on his travelsCharacter Web
5 connectionsA slice of how MacGillivray sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Professional
- Other
Character groups
- Pursuit Authority
- Conspiracy Core
- Hannay's Support Network
- Protagonist
Explore ties, sentiment, and clusters while you read
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as Richard Hannay, though physically broken and p…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Sir Walter Bullivant
professional · positive
MacGillivray is a police or intelligence official cooperating with Bullivant on the… How this plays out →
- General Royer
professional · positive
- Sir Walter Bullivant
professional · positive
MacGillivray is a police or intelligence official cooperating with Bullivant on the… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See MacGillivray in ii the milkman sets out on his travelsIn the story
MacGillivray appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for MacGillivray unlock in the free preview.
See MacGillivray in ii the milkman sets out on his travels