# Lin McLean — The Virginian character guide

> Lin McLean in The Virginian by Owen Wister.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** young Lin McLean, McLean, Mr. McLean

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-steve-treats

## Snapshot

A wild young cowboy of Bear Creek, briefly tamed by courtship of the schoolmarm, whose absence from a dance speaks louder than his presence.

## Who they are

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 himself has not arrived, and the Virginian's quiet notice that Lin is nowhere near Miss Wood carries a weight of its own. He is the road not taken, the wildness the Virginian has already outgrown.

## Relationships

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian)

_friendship_

Lin McLean is a fellow cowboy and close friend of the Virginian, sharing adventures and camaraderie.

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian)

_friendship_

Lin McLean is a fellow cowboy and close friend of the Virginian, sharing adventures and camaraderie.

### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian)

_friendship_

Lin McLean is a fellow cowboy and close friend of the Virginian, sharing adventures and camaraderie.

## In the story

### [VII: Through Two Snows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/vii-through-two-snows)

Mentioned as being present with the Virginian during a hunt in Yellowstone Park.

### [The Spinster Meets the Unknown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/ix-the-spinster-meets-the-unknown)

Mentioned as having spoken highly of the schoolmarm.

### [X: Where Fancy Was Bred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/x-where-fancy-was-bred)

Tells the story of his failed attempt to kiss Molly Wood, which led to her calling him an 'exception'; he watches the dance gloomily with the Virginian.

### [XI: “You’re Going to Love Me Before We Get Through”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xi-you-re-going-to-love-me-before-we-get-through)

The initial suspect in the baby swap prank; the community searches for him. Later meets the Virginian, who warns him not to comment on the flower in his hat.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/lin_mclean
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters