The Way of All Flesh - Main Characters

Main Characters

Pontifex family. First generation

• "Old" John Pontifex (16 August 1727-8 February 1812)
• Ruth Pontifex (13 October 1727-10 January 1811; wife of Old Pontifex; married 1750).

Second generation

• George Pontifex (c.1765-1838; son of Old John and Ruth Pontifex; married c.1797 to unnamed woman who died 1805).

Third generation

• Eliza (1798-18??; George Pontifex's eldest child; never marries)
• Maria (1799-18??; George Pontifex's second child; never marries)
• John (ca.1801-18??; George Pontifex's third child; marries & has unnamed son early 1837)
• Theobald (1802–1881; George Pontifex's fourth child; marries Christina Allaby July 1831; has 3 children)
• Alethea Pontifex (1805–1850; George Pontifex's fifth child; loves Overton but never marries him).
• Christina Pontifex (née Allaby; wife of Theobald Pontifex; married July 1831; died ca.1863).

Fourth generation

• Ernest Pontifex, the central character (born 6 September 1835; eldest child of Theobald and Christina Pontifex).
• Ellen Pontifex (born ca.1831; housemaid of Theobald and Christina; likely pregnant by John the coachman & married him 15 August 1851; separated; married bigamously to Ernest late 1850s; annulled 1862).
• Joseph (born 1836; second child of Theobald & Christina; married between 1875 & 1876).
• Charlotte (born 1837; third child of Theobald & Christina; married between 1876 & 1882).

Fifth generation

• Alice (born September 1860; illegitimate daughter of Ellen and Ernest; married Jack Rollings (born 1855)); marries at age 38 and has son.
• Georgie (born late 1861; illegitimate son of Ernest and Ellen); marries and has children.

Others

• Dr Skinner (Ernest's teacher).
• John (Theobald & Christina's family coachman. Gets Ellen pregnant; marries her 15 August 1851. Later separated due to her drunkenness).
• Mr Overton, the narrator (born 1802, loves Alethea Pontifex but never marries her; trustee of her estate; godfather to Ernest).