The Pickwick Papers characters

Samuel Pickwick

Also known as Pickwick, the old gentleman

A wealthy, benevolent, and somewhat naive gentleman and founder of the Pickwick Club. He is characterized by his curiosity about the world and his inherent goodness.

As drawn: An elderly, benevolent gentleman with a bald head and a broad forehead, circular spectacles behind which his beaming eyes twinkle, a comfortable stoutness, and his famous tights and gaiters.

Bonds:SamEmployer-servantTracyTravel correspondentsWardleDear friends

Sam Weller

Also known as Weller, the boy

The witty, resourceful, and street-smart valet to Mr. Pickwick. He provides much of the novel's humor and serves as a loyal protector to his master.

As drawn: A shrewd, cheerful young man in a striped waistcoat with black calico sleeves and blue glass buttons, drab breeches and leggings, a bright red handkerchief wound loosely round his neck and an old white hat thrown carelessly on one side of his head.

Bonds:SamuelEmployer-servantTracyTravel correspondentsJobNew acquaintancesBobIce-party companions

Nathaniel Winkle

Also known as Winkle

A member of the Pickwick Club who is obsessed with being a 'man of action' and a sportsman, though he is often quite cowardly.

As drawn: A young gentleman in a new green shooting-coat, a plaid neckerchief and closely fitted drab trousers, got up as a sportsman.

Bonds:SnodgrassConcerned companionsWardleClub acquaintances

Tracy Tupman

Also known as Tupman

A member of the Pickwick Club who fancies himself a great lover and a man of romantic sensibility.

As drawn: A susceptible middle-aged gentleman whose once romantic form has been expanded by time and good feeding, his black silk waistcoat swelling year by year with a gold watch-chain disappearing beneath it.

Bonds:WardleFriendsSamTravel correspondentsSamuelTravel correspondentsJoePassenger and attendant

Benjamin Allen

Also known as Armitage

A member of the Pickwick Club, often seen as part of the traveling group.

As drawn: A coarse, stout, thick-set young man with black hair cut rather short and a white face cut rather long, wearing spectacles and a white neckerchief, in a single-breasted black surtout buttoned to the chin, with a generally mildewy appearance.

Bonds:BobParticular friends

Mr. Snodgrass

Also known as Snodgrass

A companion of Mr. Pickwick and a member of the Pickwick Club, noted for his poetic sensibilities.

As drawn: A poetical-looking young man in a blue cloak with a canine-skin collar, romantic and soulful in expression.

Bonds:NathanielConcerned companionsWardleClub acquaintancesSamGuided guestsJoePassenger and attendant

Mr. Jingle

Also known as Jingle

An impudent and talkative stranger who becomes a companion to the group.

As drawn: A man of middle height whose thin body and long legs make him look much taller, in a faded green swallow-tail coat buttoned close to the chin, its soiled sleeves scarcely reaching his wrists.

Bonds:WardleNew acquaintances

Job Trotter

Also known as Trotter

A character associated with Mr. Weller.

As drawn: A demure-looking servant in mulberry-coloured livery, with an air of deep abstraction and a hymn-book habitually in his hands.

Bonds:SamNew acquaintances

Bob Sawyer

Also known as Bob

A character who hosts a bachelor's party.

As drawn: A young man of slovenly smartness and swaggering gait, in a coarse blue coat that is neither greatcoat nor surtout, plaid trousers and a large rough double-breasted waistcoat, wearing no gloves.

Bonds:BenjaminParticular friendsSamIce-party companionsWardleHost and guest

Mr. Wardle

Also known as Wardle

A jolly host and acquaintance of Mr. Pickwick.

As drawn: A hearty stout old gentleman in a blue coat with bright buttons, corduroy breeches and top-boots.

Bonds:NathanielClub acquaintancesTracyFriendsSnodgrassClub acquaintancesJingleNew acquaintances

Joe

The fat boy who serves the old lady.

As drawn: A very fat, red-faced boy in a perpetual state of somnolency, in a servant's plain coat.

Bonds:WardleEmployer and servantTracyPassenger and attendantSnodgrassPassenger and attendant