Dr. Thomas Thorne

Dr. Thomas Thorne serves as the compassionate physician of Greshamsbury in East Barsetshire. After his brother's tragic death at the hands of Roger Scatcherd, Dr. Thorne undertakes the responsibility of raising Mary, the illegitimate daughter of his brother and Mary Scatcherd, a village girl. Throughout the novel, Dr. Thorne keeps Mary's true heritage a secret until she comes into an inheritance from Roger Scatcherd. Highly regarded for his humane nature, Dr. Thorne maintains amicable relations with both the Scatcherd family and the aristocratic Greshams of Greshamsbury Park.

Mary Thorne

Mary Thorne, Dr. Thorne's niece, remains oblivious of her illegitimate background until the novel's conclusion. Raised alongside the young Greshams at Greshamsbury Park, Mary harbors deep affection for Frank Gresham, the heir of the estate. Although she is expelled from Greshamsbury Park due to Lady Arabella's insistence on Frank marrying someone wealthy, Mary remains steadfast in her love for Frank. Her situation changes dramatically when she learns of her heritage and inherits Roger Scatcherd's fortune, enabling her union with Frank.

Frank Gresham

Frank Gresham, the youthful successor to Greshamsbury Park, is constantly reminded by his mother of the necessity to marry a wealthy heiress. Nonetheless, Frank's devotion to Mary Thorne is unwavering. Even when tasked with courting the affluent Miss Dunstable, Frank's inherent honesty prevents him from pursuing her insincerely, despite external pressures from his family.

Francis Newbold Gresham

Francis Newbold Gresham, father to Frank and the squire of Greshamsbury, has squandered the family estate in a futile attempt to reclaim his father's parliamentary seat. With ten children to his name, he watches as his lands diminish to cover his debts. Despite his kind nature, he recognizes the necessity for his son to marry into wealth to restore the family's fortunes.

Lady Arabella De Courcy Gresham

Lady Arabella De Courcy Gresham, spouse of Squire Gresham and mother to Frank, prides herself on her De Courcy lineage. Ambitious for her son's future, she is adamant that Frank should marry for money, resulting in Mary's expulsion from their home.

Sir Roger Scatcherd

Sir Roger Scatcherd, initially a destitute stonemason, serves a six-month sentence for the murder of Dr. Thorne’s brother following a betrayal involving his sister, Mary Scatcherd. Through shrewdness and hard work, he accumulates significant wealth as a railroad manufacturer and secures a parliamentary seat, albeit temporarily due to uncovered electoral fraud in which he was uninvolved. His fondness for alcohol ultimately leads to his demise. His will designates his son as the heir, with an alternative provision bestowing his estate to his sister's child upon his son’s death.

Lady Scatcherd

Lady Scatcherd, the faithful and enduring wife of Sir Roger, shares a close friendship with Dr. Thorne and once served as a wet nurse to young Frank Gresham.

Louis Philippe Scatcherd

Louis Philippe Scatcherd, Sir Roger's sole offspring, struggles with alcoholism. Heartbroken by Mary's rejection, he succumbs to his addiction, which eventually claims his life. His untimely death results in the family wealth transferring to Mary Thorne.

Countess Rosina De Courcy

Countess Rosina De Courcy, Lady Arabella's sister-in-law, shares her ambition both socially and politically. She extends an invitation to Frank to visit Courcy Castle, offering him a chance to secure a prosperous match.

Earl De Courcy

Earl De Courcy, the proprietor of Courcy Castle and a prominent Whig aristocrat in Barsetshire, lives largely in the shadow of his wife.

Lord Porlock

Lord Porlock is the eldest son and the designated heir of Courcy Castle.

The Honourable George De Courcy

The Honourable George De Courcy, the second son, lacks both honor and wisdom.

The Honourable John De Courcy