Black Beauty Characters

Duchess is Black Beauty’s mother. She’s a kind horse who tells Black Beauty to always do his best in his work, as he’ll be treated better that way—though she also acknowledges that some people are cruel and foolish. Black Beauty later learns that Duchess is also Rob Roy’s mother.

George Gordon is Squire Gordon’s son. He dies when Black Beauty is two years old while jumping his horse, Rob Roy, over a foxhunting obstacle that’s too difficult for him. He breaks his neck, and Rob Roy is shot, as the horse also suffered injuries.

Justice is a roan cob owned by Squire Gordon. He’s a calm, sensible horse who tries to understand why people do what they do to horses—he explains why people use blinkers on horses, for instance.

Mrs. W is Lord W’s wife. She’s an imperious lady who often takes Black Beauty and Ginger out in the carriage in the afternoons. She’s extremely fashionable—she wears expensive rustling silks—and she insists on the horses traveling with tight bearing reins at all times.

Willie is Mr. Thoroughgood’s grandson; he convinces his grandfather to purchase Black Beauty at a horse fair to “make him young again.” When they get Black Beauty home, Willie is put in charge of his care. Willie is kind and loves horses; he often brings Black Beauty treats.

Dick is a boy who works for Farmer Grey. Farmer Grey fires Dick when he catches him throwing stones at colts to make them run.

Miss Jessie is one of Squire Gordon’s daughters. She and her sister Miss Flora ride Merrylegs.

Miss Flora is one of Squire Gordon’s daughters. She and her sister Miss Jessie ride Merrylegs.

Mr. Ryder was Ginger’s first trainer. He was kind, but he put his cruel son, Samson, in charge of Ginger’s training—with horrific results.

The vicar purchases Merrylegs from Squire Gordon when the Gordons move to Europe.

Tom is Joe Green’s father. He occasionally helps his son out at Birtwick.

Rory is a fellow job-horse whom Black Beauty works with briefly. He’s a good-natured horse, but he’s sold as a coal horse after suffering a cart accident.

Harry is Polly and Jerry’s son. He’s 14 when Jerry purchases Black Beauty. He’s a sensible, good-natured boy who helps care for the horses.

The lady stops Jakes when she sees him whipping Black Beauty and tries to convince him not to use the bearing rein.

Miss Ellen is one of the three ladies who purchase Black Beauty from Mr. Thoroughgood. She’s the youngest lady and is the first to drive Black Beauty in the chaise. She’s a good driver.

Miss Blomefield is one of the three ladies who purchase Black Beauty from Mr. Thoroughgood. Black Beauty describes her as “stately.”

Dinah is one of Jerry and Polly’s neighbors. Jerry agrees to drive her into the country on a Sunday so she can visit her dying mother.

Polly’s former employer, Mrs. Fowler, runs into Jerry once at the hospital. Later, after he gets sick, she employs him as her coachman.