# The Voyage of the Beagle — Character guide

> Key figures in The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin.

- [Jemmy Button](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/jemmy_button.md): Jemmy is the voyage's most human puzzle: an English-dressed Fuegian who praises his own tribe, mocks a rival boy with 'too much skylark,' and refuses to reveal distant ships when quarreling with an officer. He is vain, s
- [Captain Fitz Roy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/captain_fitz_roy.md): Fitz Roy commands the ten-gun brig whose five-year mission frames the entire voyage, from Devonport's gales to the Cape de Verd islands and beyond. His obsessive precision—chronometrics, coastlines, souls—collides with t
- [General Rosas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/general_rosas.md): Rosas rules the Argentine plains with a soldier's grip, and Darwin crosses his territory while riding inland from the coast. He represents the violent frontier of South American nation-building, a counterpoint to the Bea
- [York Minster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/york_minster.md): York is the eldest and most watchful of the three Fuegians aboard, with eyes sharp enough to identify distant ships before any sailor. His jealousy over Fuegia Basket gives the small passenger group its quietest tension,
- [Fuegia Basket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/fuegia_basket.md): Fuegia is the youngest of the three Fuegians carried to England and back, quiet but remarkably fast at languages, learning Portuguese and Spanish during brief shore stops. Her pleasing but sometimes sullen expression and
- [R. Matthews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/r_matthews.md): Matthews is the voyage's most exposed figure, deposited on a hostile shore with Bibles and good intentions while the Beagle sails on. His mission embodies Fitz Roy's belief that civilization can be transplanted, a convic
- [Mr. Bynoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/mr_bynoe.md): Surgeon on HMS Beagle during Darwin's voyage.
- [Mr. Lyell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/mr_lyell.md): Geologist whose principles influenced Darwin's observations.
- [Mr. Low](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/mr_low.md): A seal hunter and guide in Tierra del Fuego.
- [Dr. Andrew Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/dr_andrew_smith.md): Naturalist and surgeon consulted by Darwin in South Africa.
- [Mr. Burchell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/mr_burchell.md): Naturalist and explorer whose collections Darwin referenced.
- [Mr. Gill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/mr_gill.md): A local contact or guide during Darwin's travels in South America.
- [Captain Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/captain_ross.md): Arctic explorer mentioned in passing during the narrative.
- [Professor Owen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/professor_owen.md): Anatomist who analyzed fossils collected by Darwin.
- [Mr. Waterhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/mr_waterhouse.md): Entomologist who studied Darwin's insect collections.
- [Dr. J. Hooker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/dr_j_hooker.md): Botanist who analyzed Darwin's plant specimens.
- [Mr. Bushby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/mr_bushby.md): A British resident or official encountered in South America.
- [Professor Ehrenberg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/professor_ehrenberg.md): Microscopist who studied infusoria from Darwin's samples.
- [Azara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/azara.md): Spanish naturalist whose works Darwin frequently cited.
- [Humboldt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/humboldt.md): Famed naturalist whose travels inspired Darwin's journey.
- [Queen Pomarre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/queen_pomarre.md): Tahitian queen met during the Beagle's visit.
- [Captain Lancaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/captain_lancaster.md): Explorer mentioned in the context of Arctic voyages.
- [Chamisso](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/chamisso.md): Naturalist and poet who accompanied a Russian expedition.
- [Falconer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/falconer.md): Paleontologist who studied fossil mammals.
- [Captain King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/captain_king.md): Commander of an earlier surveying expedition to Patagonia.
- [Mr. Bachman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/mr_bachman.md): American naturalist who studied North American fauna.
- [Pincheira](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/pincheira.md): Outlaw leader in the Argentine pampas.
- [Sir F. Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/sir_f_head.md): British author of travel books on the pampas.

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