Beat to Quarters | Teaching Key Figures

Character Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major characters in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Characters

Horatio Hornblower - A post captain in the British Navy during the Napoleonic wars who commands H.M.S. Lydia, a 36-gun frigate.

William Bush - The experienced and capable 1st lieutenant of H.M.S, Lydia who is devoted to Hornblower.

Galbraith - The 3rd lieutenant of H.M.S. Lydia, whose legs are amputated and who dies at sea.

Polwheal - Hornblower's personal steward who looks out for Hornblower's personal comfort and offers slight comic relief.

Laurie - The man shipped on Lydia as purser's steward who takes over as surgeon when Hankey, the ship's surgeon, dies.