Rob Roy (novel) - Notable Characters (in Order of Appearance)

Notable Characters (in Order of Appearance)

Francis "Frank" Osbaldistone: The narrator and protagonist. He is an educated young man in his early twenties, wilful and impetuous. Although he is quick to argument, both verbally and physically, he is sensitive and kind-hearted by nature. He falls deeply in love with Die Vernon and comes to respect and admire Rob Roy.

William Osbaldistone: Frank's father, who has been disinherited in favour of his younger brother, Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone. He has build a successful merchant house, Osbaldistone and Tresham (with his silent partner, Tresham) in Crane Alley in the City of London. At the beginning of the novel, he punishes Frank's lack of interest in learning the business and becoming a partner by sending him to Osbaldistone Manor to live in disgrace. However, he is reconciled with Frank at the end of the novel, after Frank has saved Osbaldistone and Tresham from being ruined by Rashleigh Osbaldistone.

Owen: Head Clerk of Osbaldistone and Tresham, and an old family friend. As one of Frank's mentors, he despairs of Frank's attitude at the start of the novel, but later joins Frank in the Highlands, hoping to save O & T.

Morris: Government agent and paymaster, first encountered by Frank on the road to Osbaldistone Hall from London. His cowardly and dishonest actions precipate him to his doom, and influence the course of the plot. He is weak and easily influenced.

Robert "Rob Roy" McGregor Campbell: The titular hero of the novel, initially appearing only briefly and mysteriously and almost always to assist Frank in some way. Leader of a band of Highlanders, he is an honest and upright highland gentleman, who has been forced into a life of blackmailing and reiving, at which he excels, being strong, bold, crafty, and fearless. Notorious throughout the Western Highlands, he is either loved or hated by other clans. He is married to Helen, and has two sons, young men of about 20 years old.

Diana "Die" Vernon: Die is the beautiful, intelligent and unconventional teenaged niece and ward of Sir Hildebrand with whom she resides with at Osbaldistone Manor, along with his seven sons, her cousins. Of the sons, she has most in common with Rashleigh in terms of education and nobility, although she frequently joins Sir Hildebrand and the other sons in their sporting activities. She is the daughter of Sir Frederick Vernon. She is very canny, often warning Frank of developments that affect him. She loves Frank in return, but warns him off due to reasons disclosed to him late in the narrative.

Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone: Holds both the title and ancestral manor of the Osbaldistones, long-established Catholic nobility in Northumberland. He is retired Cavalier, mildly sympathic to the Pretender's cause and a Catholic. Along with his six older sons he is devoted to a life of sport and drinking. Although he is jovial, kind and hospitable by nature, the family estate is falling into decay and ruin due to his lack of attention.

Rashleigh Osbaldistone (later Sir Rashleigh): Rashleigh is Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone`s youngest son, completely unlike his brothers. He is highly educated, sensitive and intelligent and is ostensibly preparing for the Catholic priesthood. Rashleigh quickly becomes Frank`s nemesis, acting secretly as a Jacobite agent and conniving to plunder Osbaldistone and Tresham in order to support his political ambitions. He is sober, learned and courtly in manner but his humble appearance and discourse belie a cunning and rapacious nature. His treacherous actions also dictate the course of the plot.

Andrew Fairservice: First the gardener at Osbaldistone Manor, then Frank's guide and man-servant in the Highlands, Andrew is a pedantic, obnoxious, superstitious and ostentatiously Protestant Scottish Lowlander, who, along with Baillie Jarvie, provides much of the novel's comic relief. He becomes an object of irritation and contempt to Frank and Jarvie as the plot progresses.

Justice Inglewood: Like Sir Hildebrand, Squire Inglewood is a retired Catholic Cavalier, and lover of revelling. He is a neighbour of Sir Hildebrand and friend to the Osbaldistones. He is the local Justice of the Peace, being the only suitable candidate. He prefers to uphold the spirit of the law and detests its legalities as much as he detests his Clerk, Jobson.

Joseph Jobson: Law Clerk to Squire Inglewood. He speaks only in obscure legalities. Like Morris, he eventually becomes a tool of Rashleigh's cabal.

Dougal: A wild, uncouth Highlander, devoted to Rob and a very effective agent for him.

Baillie Nicol Jarvie: Magistrate and businessman in Glasgow and a relative of Rob Roy. Although garrilous and self-important, he is a very upright and respectable burgher of that city. He becomes involved with Frank's arrangements with Rob Roy and accompanies Frank to visit Rob in the Highlands. A client of O and T, he is very prudent financially - a caricature of smug Lowland gentry, in contrast to the casting of Andrew as a cariciture of a Lowland Scots working man.

Major Duncan Galbraith: A Lowland gentleman, leader of the Lennox Militia.

Garschattachin: A Highland gentleman, who along with Galbraith, provides a band of milita in support of the Duke.

Captain Thornton: An honourable leader of a squad of English infantry who mistakenly arrests Frank, Jarvie and Andrew, and with them, unsuspectingly falls into Helen and Dougal's trap.

Helen: Rob's wife, who leads the band in Rob's absense consisting of old men, women and children and who easily overpowers Captain Thornton's platoon after laying a cunning trap.

The Duke: Never named, he is leader of the English Army in the Highlands, in pursuit of Rob Roy to arrest him for his illegal activities.

Sir Frederick Vernon: Diana's father, fugitive ally of the Pretender. He becomes a target of Rashleigh's after Rashleigh turns traitor to the Pretender's cause.