Ukridge Stories · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Ukridge Stories by P. G. Wodehouse.
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Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge
major
Also known as Ukridge, Mr. Ukridge, S. F. Ukridge, Stanley Ukridge, Good old Ukridge, the demon Ukridge, old Ukridge, the bloke Ukridge
Ukridge drifts through London and the country, perpetually between catastrophes, relying on charm, nerve, and the goodwill of long-suffering acquaintances like Corky. He is estranged from his formidable aunt Julia, pursued by creditors who lurk 'like leopards in the jungle,' and utterly convinced that each new venture is the idea of a thousand years. His schemes drive the book's comic engine, and his refusal to acknowledge failure makes him both infuriating and oddly endearing.
Corky
major
Also known as Mr. Corky, old Corky
Corky observes Ukridge's chaos with a mixture of exasperation, dry humor, and reluctant loyalty, serving as the reader's sane anchor in a world of absurd schemes. He is the one who lends money he will never see again, hosts Ukridge at his country cottage, and endures all-night monologues about Mabel and top hats. His running commentary gives the stories their comic rhythm and their affectionate, rueful edge.
Julia Ukridge
supporting
Also known as Miss Ukridge, Julia, Miss Julia Ukridge, the Miss Ukridge, Aunt Julia
Aunt Julia presides over a Wimbledon household of literature and lapdogs, employing the long-suffering Dora Mason as secretary-companion and sending Ukridge to bed with her dreadful novels. Her wealth and respectability are the respectable pole from which Ukridge has violently revolted, and her occasional willingness to fund or forgive him makes her a recurring force in his calculations. She matters because she is both the source of his former comfort and the standard against which his disreputable freedom is measured.
Battling Billson
supporting
Also known as Mr. Billson, Billson, Good old Billson, old Billson, poor old Billson, James J. Billson, Wilberforce Billson
Billson is the loyal, slightly dim strongman whose physical presence lends Ukridge's ventures a veneer of seriousness they rarely deserve. His boxing past and gentle nature create a comic tension, and his readiness to follow Ukridge into any scrape makes him both an asset and a liability. He represents the human collateral of Ukridge's ambitions, and his appearances often signal that a scheme is about to escalate.
George Tupper
supporting
Also known as Tupper, Sir George Tupper, old George Tupper
Tupper is the prosperous, slightly naive plutocrat whose private means and generous instincts make him a prime target for Ukridge's financial imagination. He moves in racing and society circles, and his willingness to listen, however reluctantly, keeps Ukridge's ventures afloat. His presence highlights the gap between solid respectability and Ukridge's perpetual improvisation, and his entanglements often provide the stories with their complications.
Teddy Weeks
supporting
Also known as Weeks
Weeks belongs to the professional entertainment milieu that Ukridge aspires to enter, and his connections make him useful for schemes involving dog acts, boxing promotions, and similar spectacles. He is part of the loose network of friends and contacts Ukridge draws on when a new idea strikes, and his presence helps ground the stories in the shabby, bustling world of London's lesser stages. He matters as a reminder that Ukridge's schemes, however absurd, are aimed at a real and hungry market.
Joe the Lawyer
supporting
Also known as Joe, Bighearted old Joe, this bloke Joe, The bloke Joe
The long-suffering solicitor friend whose legal brain and apparently bottomless pockets Ukridge treats as a public utility whenever a scheme needs propping up.
Tuppy
supporting
Also known as old Tuppy, Old Tuppy
A genial, put-upon chum of Ukridge's who keeps getting dragooned into schemes he can see through but somehow never quite escapes.
Looney Coote
supporting
Also known as Coote
A wealthy old schoolmate ruled by omens and superstitions, whose harmless eccentricity makes him exactly the sort of mark Ukridge cannot resist.
Dora Mason
supporting
Also known as Dora, Miss Dora Mason, Poor little Dora, a Miss Mason, Miss Mason
Ukridge's aunt's put-upon secretary-companion, a girl with a grey life whose small pleasures Ukridge grandly resolves to supply at someone else's expense.
Bowles
supporting
Also known as Mrs. Bowles
Ukridge's long-suffering manservant, whose patient dignity and unexpected music-hall cousin prove quietly indispensable to the dog-training enterprise.
Alf Todd
minor
Also known as Alf, Alfred Todd, Frederick
A local tradesman who gets drawn into Ukridge's business ventures.
Mr. Thomas
minor
Also known as the redoubtable Mr. Thomas, The man Thomas, a Thomas, The bloke Thomas, Thomas
A formidable man who crosses paths with Ukridge in various schemes.
Lady Lakenheath
minor
A society lady who becomes involved in Ukridge's schemes.
Florence Burns
minor
Also known as Flossie, this Flossie
A young woman who catches the eye of one of Ukridge's friends.
Millie
minor
A young woman connected to Ukridge's social circle.
Mabel Price
minor
Also known as Miss Price, Price, old Price, Miss Mabel Price
A young woman who becomes the object of a romantic subplot.
Izzy Previn
minor
Also known as Mr. Izzy Previn, Mr. Previn, Previn
A businessman who deals with Ukridge in various transactions.
Laddie
minor
A dog that features in one of Ukridge's schemes.
Uncle Percy
minor
Also known as your Uncle Percy from Australia
An uncle from Australia who is mentioned in the story.
Isaac O'Brien
minor
A minor character in Ukridge's orbit.
The Old Stepper
supporting
Also known as the Stepper, the old Stepper, The Stepper
A mysterious, well-heeled figure whose money and connections make him the glittering prize at the centre of one of Ukridge's most audacious plots.
Boko Lawlor
minor
Also known as Boko, young Boko, Lawlor, old Boko, B. V. Lawlor
A friend of Ukridge who participates in his adventures.
Victor Beamish
minor
Also known as Poor Victor Beamish, Beamish
A friend of Ukridge who gets caught up in his schemes.
Cecil
minor
A minor character in Ukridge's social orbit.
Hank Philbrick
minor
Also known as Hank, Poor old Hank
An American friend of Ukridge who gets involved in his schemes.
Leonard the Parrot
minor
Also known as Leonard, poor Leonard
Ukridge's pet parrot, often a source of chaos.
Dawson
minor
Also known as Mr. Dawson
A man who interacts with Ukridge in his business dealings.
Mr. Corcoran
minor
A character involved in Ukridge's financial schemes.
Old Nickerson
minor
Also known as Nickerson, Mr. Nickerson, the recent Mr. Nickerson
A local man who becomes a target of Ukridge's schemes.
Tod Bingham
minor
Also known as Bingham
A friend of Ukridge who participates in his adventures.
Freddie Lunt
minor
A friend of Ukridge who gets drawn into his plans.
Ernie Finch
minor
Also known as Finch, Mr. Finch, young Mr. Finch
A young man who becomes involved in Ukridge's schemes.
The Battler
minor
Also known as Battler
A boxer who crosses paths with Ukridge.
Mr. Todd
minor
A local businessman who deals with Ukridge.
Lloyd Thomas
minor
Also known as a Lloyd Thomas
A man who becomes involved in Ukridge's affairs.
Myrtle
minor
A young woman in Ukridge's social circle.
Liz
minor
Also known as Aunt Elizabeth
An aunt of one of the characters.
Charlton Prout
minor
Also known as Mr. Prout, Mr. Charlton Prout
A man who becomes involved in Ukridge's schemes.
Bulstrode
minor
A minor character in Ukridge's orbit.
Sam
minor
Also known as Stuttering Sam
A man with a stutter who interacts with Ukridge.
Robert Dunhill
minor
Also known as Dunhill
A friend of Ukridge who gets involved in his plans.
Mrs. Price
minor
Mother of Mabel Price, involved in the romantic subplot.
Philip
minor
Also known as Uncle Philip
An uncle of one of the characters.
Mr. Price
minor
Father of Mabel Price.
Mr. Herbert Huxtable
minor
Also known as Mr. Huxtable, Huxtable
A man who becomes involved in Ukridge's schemes.
Mr. Sims
minor
A minor character in Ukridge's world.
Mr. Biggs
minor
A local businessman who deals with Ukridge.
Mrs. Beale
minor
A landlady or housekeeper in the story.
Sir Edward Bayliss
minor
Also known as this Sir Edward, Sir Edward, Edward
A baronet who becomes involved in Ukridge's affairs.
Mario
minor
A minor character, possibly a servant or foreign contact.
Mr. Smallweed
minor
Also known as Smallweed
A minor character who interacts with Ukridge.
Lord Claude Tremaine
minor
Also known as Lord Claude bloke, Claude
A lord who becomes a target of Ukridge's schemes.
The Bart
minor
Also known as this Guardee Bart, Bart
A baronet who is mentioned in the story.
Barolini
minor
A foreign contact of Ukridge.
Mr. Jevons
minor
Also known as Jevons
A minor character who deals with Ukridge.
Spencer
minor
A minor character in the story.
H. K. Hodger
minor
Also known as Mr. H. K. Hodger
A man who proposes a toast at a gathering.
Peppo
minor
A minor character, possibly a servant or foreign contact.
Bertram Fox
minor
A minor character in Ukridge's world.
Miss Watterson
minor
A minor female character.
The Vulture
minor
Also known as the Vulture
A nickname for a predatory character.
Mrs. Billson
minor
Wife of Battling Billson.
Gooch
minor
A minor character mentioned in the story.
The Hyacinth
minor
A boat or establishment mentioned in the story.
Wassick
minor
Also known as Mr. Wassick
A minor character who interacts with Ukridge.
Miss Angelica Vining
minor
Also known as Miss Vining
A minor female character in the story.