# Jemmy Button — The Voyage of the Beagle character guide

> Jemmy Button in The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Jemmy, Poor Jemmy

**First appearance:** 0013-x-tierra-del-fuego

## Snapshot

A short, vain Fuegian taken to England and returned home aboard the Beagle, he laughs, wears gloves, and calls the seasick Darwin 'poor, poor fellow.'

## Who they are

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, sympathetic, and jealous by turns, polishing his shoes while laughing at Darwin's seasickness. His return to Tierra del Fuego forces Darwin to confront how civilization, savagery, and kindness can share one body.

## Relationships

### [Fuegia Basket](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/fuegia_basket)

_friendship_

Fuegia and Jemmy are close companions among the Fuegian natives, sharing cultural bonds and frequent interactions during the voyage.

### [York Minster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/york_minster)

_friendship_

Jemmy and York are fellow Fuegians who interact often, likely as allies and travel companions with a shared background.

### [R. Matthews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/r_matthews)

_friendship_

Jemmy and missionary R. Matthews interact frequently, likely as companions during the mission to settle the Fuegians.

### [Captain Fitz Roy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/captain_fitz_roy)

_professional_

Captain Fitz Roy acts as a mentor and commander to Jemmy, guiding his adaptation to English customs.

## In the story

### [The Voyage of the Beagle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/chapters/the-voyage-of-the-beagle)

A Fuegian native being returned to Tierra del Fuego as part of a missionary and civilizing experiment.

### [X: Tierra del Fuego](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/chapters/x-tierra-del-fuego)

His tribe and family reside in Ponsonby Sound, where the settlement is established.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters/jemmy_button
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyage_of_the_beagle_se/characters