# The Virginian — Character guide

> Key figures in The Virginian by Owen Wister.

- [Molly Stark Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/molly_stark_wood.md): Molly Stark Wood belongs to a Vermont family that has always lived like gentlefolk, until the mills fail and she must earn her bread teaching music and making preserves. Bennington gossips are scandalized that she works 
- [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian.md): The Virginian is a cowpuncher the narrator meets on the westward train, a man whose stillness unnerves and whose manners surprise. When Steve tosses him a term of heaviest insult, he takes it as a compliment, and when th
- [Trampas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/trampas.md): Trampas is the man at the ranch who lost a powerful friend when Roberts went, and the men around him sense that he has no shield left between himself and the Virginian. When Judge Henry appoints the Virginian foreman on 
- [Scipio Le Moyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/scipio_le_moyne.md): Scipio Le Moyne is the friend who watches the Virginian sleep like a child while the men around him are on the ragged edge of mutiny, and who tells the narrator plainly what he thinks. He reckons Trampas will pull his fr
- [Balaam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/balaam.md): Balaam is the ranchman who owes Judge Henry horses and keeps putting off their return, greeting the Virginian's reminder with a struck fist and a demand for explanations. He rages about Indians off the reservation, cuts 
- [Shorty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/shorty.md): Shorty is the boy who carries Balaam's overdue letter to the Virginian and gets nothing for it but a little pay already lost at poker in Drybone, where his money went into Trampas's pocket. He has one valuable possession
- [Judge Henry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/judge_henry.md): Judge Henry presides over Sunk Creek Ranch, an oasis of milk, eggs, and civilized fare in a territory of sowbelly and beans. Having once worn the robe of an upright federal judge, he now finds himself asked to defend con
- [Steve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/steve.md): Steve grins at the Virginian, calls him a son-of-a-⸻ in perfect friendship, and moves through the cow-country with an offhand charm that makes him hard to dislike. But his path bends toward cattle rustling, and the easy 
- [Taylor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/taylor.md): Taylor runs the store and post where Bear Creek gathers its mail and gossip, and he is father to young Georgie. When he hands the Virginian a sheet of note paper on which a girl has written as women the cowpuncher has kn
- [Dr. MacBride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/dr_macbride.md): Dr. MacBride serves Bear Creek as both preacher and doctor, officiating weddings and tending bodies while preaching a theology of wrath. His sermon to the cowboys — 'They are altogether become filthy' — offers no ray of 
- [Lin McLean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/lin_mclean.md): Lin McLean is the cowboy the whole territory watches — signed for one month of good behavior, spooning the schoolmarm, the subject of every fireside guess. His name circulates through the dance at Swinton's even when he 
- [Em'ly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/em_ly.md): Molly's spirited horse, central to a chapter and a symbol of her independence.
- [Uncle Hughey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/uncle_hughey.md): An elderly, talkative cowboy who tells tall tales and annoys the younger men.
- [Monte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/monte.md): The Virginian's beloved horse, a constant companion throughout his adventures.
- [Mrs. Henry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/mrs_henry.md): Judge Henry's kind wife who befriends Molly and offers her hospitality.
- [Sam Bannett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/sam_bannett.md): A cowboy who participates in the lynching of Steve and later aids the Virginian.
- [Honey Wiggin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/honey_wiggin.md): A slick-talking cowboy and gambler who causes trouble for the Virginian.
- [Colonel Cyrus Jones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/colonel_cyrus_jones.md): A pompous military man who visits the ranch and clashes with the Virginian.
- [Georgie Taylor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/georgie_taylor.md): The young son of Mr. Taylor who becomes attached to the Virginian.
- [Grandmother Stark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/grandmother_stark.md): Molly's stern grandmother who disapproves of her relationship with the Virginian.
- [Pedro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/pedro.md): A horse owned by Balaam, subjected to cruelty and central to a key scene.
- [Mrs. Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/mrs_wood.md): Molly's mother, a widow living in Bennington who supports her daughter's choices.
- [Bob Carmody](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/bob_carmody.md): A cowboy who gets into a fight with the Virginian over a card game.
- [Mr. Ogden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/mr_ogden.md): A neighbor of Judge Henry who hosts social gatherings and is a cattleman.
- [Mrs. Flynt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/mrs_flynt.md): A boarding house keeper in town where the Virginian sometimes stays.
- [Sarah Bell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/sarah_bell.md): A woman mentioned in correspondence, possibly a relative of Andrew Bell.
- [Edward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/edward.md): A minor character who appears in a scene with the Virginian and others.
- [The Drummer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_drummer.md): A traveling salesman who appears in a stagecoach scene with the Virginian.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters