Jacob Flanders
Jacob Flanders is the protagonist of the story. Readers have a chance to see his transition from childhood to adulthood. He is fond of literature and – in spite of the lack of money – manages to enter the King’s College. His main passions are self-education and traveling.
Elizabeth Flanders
Elizabeth Flanders is a mother of the protagonist. She is a poor widow, who has to take care about her children and struggles to make the ends meet. Although she has suitors, she refuses to remarry, for one of them is younger than she and the second one is married. She also has grieves for her dead husband.
Archer Flanders
Archer Flanders is an elder brother of Jacob. He is fond of the Navy.
John Flanders
John Flanders is the youngest brother of Archer and Jacob.
Captain Barfoot
Captain Barfoot is a friend of Elizabeth Flanders.
Andrew Lloyd
Andrew Lloyd is a clergyman and a suitor of Elizabeth Flanders. When Mrs. Flanders refuses to marry him, he leaves the town but before that he allows the Flanders boys to take anything they like from his library.
Mrs. Jarvis
Mrs. Jarvis is a neighbor of Mrs. Elizabeth Flanders and a wife of the rector.
Timothy
Timothy or Timmy Durrant is a friend of Jacob Flanders he meets in the college.
Richard Bonamy
Richard Bonamy is a friend of Jacob Flanders he meets in the college.
Mrs. Durrant
Mrs. Durrant is a mother of Timothy and Clara Durrant.
Clara Durrant
Clara Durrant is a sister of Timothy. Just like her mother, she fancies Jacob. When Jacob moves to London, Clara follows him and tries to build a relationship with him but fails.
Florinda
Florinda is Jacob’s lover.
Fanny Elmer
Fanny Elmer is a young woman, a dancer, who falls in love with Jacob.
Evan Williams
Evan Williams is a husband of Sandra. He describes himself as ambitious but lazy. He and his wife meet Jacob in Greece.
Sandra Wentworth Williams
Sandra Wentworth Williams is a wife of Evan Williams. She is beautiful woman and Jacobs starts fancying her.
