Agnes Grey Characters

Agnes Grey, the younger daughter of poor clergyman Richard Grey and his wife Alice Grey, is a sheltered and naïve but determined young woman. When her father loses a large sum on a mercantile… read analysis of Agnes Grey

Alice is the daughter of a rich squire who disinherited her when she chose to marry the poor clergyman she loved, Richard Grey, rather than some wealthy and titled man. A brave, principled, and… read analysis of Agnes’s Mother/Alice Grey

A poor clergyman in northern England, Richard Grey marries Agnes’s mother Alice against the wishes of Alice’s rich family. He loves and respects Alice more than he wants financial support from a prospective wife’s family… read analysis of Agnes’s Father/Richard Grey

Mary is older sister to Agnes and the oldest surviving child of Alice and Richard Grey. While Agnes is working as a governess, Mary—then aged 28—marries the 30-something vicar of a nearby parish, a… read analysis of Mary

The oldest daughter of Mr. Murray and Mrs. Murray, Rosalie is Agnes’s full-time pupil from age 16 to age 18, after which Agnes continues to give her lessons only in German and drawing. Though… read analysis of Rosalie Murray

Matilda, younger sister to Rosalie Murray, is one of Agnes’s students in her second governess position. Fourteen years old when Agnes arrives in the Murray household, Matilda is a thorough tomboy, who loves… read analysis of Matilda Murray

Wife to Mr. Murray and mother to Rosalie and Matilda, Mrs. Murray is an attractive, fashionable forty-something whose primary focus is marrying her daughters to the richest, highest-ranking men possible. As such, she judges… read analysis of Mrs. Murray

Husband to Mrs. Murray and father to Rosalie and Matilda, Mr. Murray is a wealthy country squire who devotes himself to hunting, riding, and farming. He rarely troubles himself with his children’s governess, Agnes… read analysis of Mr. Murray

Admirer and eventual husband of Rosalie Murray, Sir Thomas Ashby is an immoral aristocrat devoted to drinking, gambling, and conducting romantic affairs. Mrs. Murray, pleased by Sir Thomas Ashby’s money and social status… read analysis of Sir Thomas Ashby

The village rector at the church the Murray family attends, Mr. Hatfield is a vain, status-obsessed man who flatters his rich parishioners and threatens the poor ones with hell. He falls in love with and… read analysis of Mr. Hatfield

Nancy Brown is a poor, elderly, devoutly religious cottager in the village near the Murrays’ estate, Horton Lodge. When she develops an eye inflammation that prevents her from reading the Bible, Agnes begins visiting her… read analysis of Nancy Brown

Tom Bloomfield is a blond, blue-eyed seven-year-old who becomes Agnes’s oldest pupil when she first goes to work as a governess. Tom is spoiled by his doting mother Mrs. Bloomfield and encouraged to drink… read analysis of Tom Bloomfield

Mrs. Bloomfield is an acquaintance of Agnes Grey’s aunt and the first person to employ Agnes as a governess for her school-aged children Tom, Mary Ann, and Fanny. Cold and haughty… read analysis of Mrs. Bloomfield

Brother to Mrs. Bloomfield and uncle to Tom, Mary Ann, and Fanny, Uncle Robson is a tall, strong, unintelligent man who encourages Tom to drink alcohol and torture helpless animals and praises… read analysis of Uncle Robson

Younger sister to Tom Bloomfield, Mary Ann is a large, rosy-cheeked six-year-old. Spoiled, vain, and lazy, Mary Ann often refuses to do the work her governess Agnes assigns to her and screams at painful… read analysis of Mary Ann Bloomfield

Husband to Mrs. Bloomfield and father to Tom, Mary Ann, and Fanny, Mr. Bloomfield is an angry, complaining man whose outbursts of temper frighten his children into acting well-behaved around him. As… read analysis of Mr. Bloomfield

The younger son of aristocrat Sir Hugh Meltham, Harry Meltham is one of Rosalie Murray’s admirers. Though Rosalie is not interested in marrying a younger son, Harry Meltham continues to pursue Rosalie in London… read analysis of Henry “Harry” Meltham