This is a list of named characters in Leo Tolstoy's 1869 novel War and Peace. Note that as the work was originally in Russian, some characters' names are Romanized differently in different translations.
A Stepan Stepanovich Adraksin – acquaintance of Pierre Bezukhov Father Akinfi – monk and confessor of Marya Bolkonskaya. Marya Dmitriyevna Akhrosimova – relative of Count Rostov and matchmaker. Strict but respected and admired. Tsar Alexander I of Russia (1777–1825) – liberal emperor early in his reign but gradually became more conservative. Elizabeth Alexeievna (1779–1826) – empress of Russia. Yakov Alpatych – servant and estate manager of Prince Nikolay Bolkonsky; the steward at Bald Hills (the Bolkonsky estate). Count Arakcheyev (1769–1834) – severe minister of war in 1809; cruel but cowardly; former minister of war by 1812 but trusted by Tsar Alexander I
B
General Baggehufwudt (1761–1812) – Russian general, killed at Tarutino Prince Bagration (1765–1812) – Russian general, considered "The hero of heroes" by Tolstoy. He is a modest, polite, but very strong character – An accurate image of Bagration in real life. Fought the French in a rear-guard action near Schoengraben in 1805, protecting Kutuzov. Commander of an army in 1812, killed at Borodino. Balaga – troika driver for Anatole Kuragin. General Balashov (1770–1837) – Adjutant-General in attendance upon the Tsar Marshal Barclay de Tolly (1761–1818) – Senior commander of Russian forces in 1812 until replaced by Kutuzov. Barthélemy – The second envoy unsuccessfully sent by Napoléon to negotiate peace with Emperor Alexander. Joseph Alexéevich Bazdéev – Pierre's benefactor, who introduced him to freemasonry. Makar Alexeyevich Bazdeyev – brother of the above de Beausset – Prefect of Napoleon's palace Belliard – General in the French army at Borodino Count Bennigsen (1745–1826) – German leader of Russian at Eylau (a draw) and Friedland (a decisive defeat). A senior commander in 1812. Lieutenant Alphonse Karlovich Berg – German husband of Vera Rostova Louis Alexandre Berthier (1753–1815) – Napoleon's commander of staff Count Kirill Vladimirovich Bezukhov (also Count Bezuhov) – Pierre's father and very wealthy aristocrat who served in Catherine II's court. Pierre Bezukhov – The illegitimate son of Count Bezukhov. A freethinking, sometimes reckless, man capable of decisive action and great displays of willpower when circumstances demand it. Inherits Count Bezukhov's fortune, later becomes a Freemason and plans to assassinate Napoleon. Husband of Hélène Kuragina and after her death, of Natasha Rostova. One of the main characters of the story. Bilibin – Russian diplomat to Austria. Appears in Vol I, Part II, Chapter 10. Entertains Prince Andrey Bolkonsky during the Prince's stay in Brno to inform the Austrian government of Russian victories. Bitsky – "a man who served on various committees and frequented all the different cliques of Petersburg". Maria Bogdanovna – midwife attending Princess Lisa Bolkonskaya Bolkhovitinov – Messenger from Dolohov to Kutuzov, Oct. 1812 Prince Andrei Nikolayevich Bolkonsky – Son of Prince Nikolay Bolkonsky. A brave (at times arrogant) soldier who becomes cynical in the Napoleonic Wars. Counterpart to Pierre. Valued adjutant to Kutuzov in 1805. Married to Lisa Bolkonskaya, father of young prince Nikolay Bolkonsky, and afterwards engaged to Natasha Rostova. Princess Elisabeta "Lisa" Karlovna Bolkonskaya (also Lise) – née Meinena. Wife of Andrey Bolkonsky. Also called "little princess". Princess Marya Bolkonskaya – A woman who struggles between the obligations of her religion and the desires of her heart. Marya lives with her father at his estate, Bald Hills. She is subject to her father's fastidious and demanding schedule and standards. Also called Maria. Eventually married Count Nikolai Rostov. Prince Nikolay Andreevitch Bolkonsky – (1) father of Prince Andrey Bolkonsky. When younger, he had been an eminent soldier. Severe and unsympathetic in character, he has a disciplined domestic routine which includes walking, woodworking and giving his daughter Marya lessons. (2) son of Prince Andrey Bolkonsky and his wife Lise, who died in childbirth. Brought up largely by his aunt Princess Marya Bolkonsky. Napoléon Bonaparte (1769–1821) – The Great Man, ruined by great blunders. Vincent Bosse – French drummer-boy, captured by Denisov Mademoiselle Bourienne – orphaned French companion to Princess Marya Bolkonskaya and her father. General Broussier (1766–1814) – French divisional commander Captain Brozin – officer of the Russian army at Tarutino Agrafena Ivanovna Byelova – a country neighbour of the Rostovs
C
General Campan Marquis de Caulaincourt (1773–1827) – French ambassador to Russia General Chatrov – an old comrade in arms of Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky Pavel Vasilievich Chichagov (1767–1849) or Tchichagov (8 July [O.S. 27 June] 1767 – 20 August 1849) – was a Russian military and naval commander of the Napoleonic wars. Carl von Clausewitz (1780–1831) – As one of two German staff officers, in the Russian service, that ride past Prince Andrei the night of the eve of battle of Borodino (The other is Wolzogen). Prince Czartoryski (1770–1861) – Minister of Foreign Affairs.
D
Danilo – Huntsman for Nikolai Rostov General Davout (1770–1823) – French marshal, competent but also capable of cruelty Vasily "Vas'ka" Denisov – Russian military officer, friend to Nikolai Rostov. He tends to pronounce some of his R's like Gh's, almost like a Russian accent with English. Eventually a general of partisan troops during the French retreat from Moscow. Proposed unsuccessfully to Natasha Rostova. Monsieur Dessalles – A Swiss teacher for young prince Nikolay Bolkonsky. Lelorme d'Ideville – an interpreter Dimmler – musician in the Rostov household Dmitri Onufrich – Family solicitor of Count Bezukhov. Dmitri Vasileyevich – "Miten'ka." Account manager of the Rostovs. Prince Dolgorukov (1777–1806) – Russian general General Dokhturov (1756–1816) – One of the characters used as a mouthpiece by Tolstoy to express his disillusionment with the tendency of historians to attribute the course of events to the will of certain iconic, often heroic figures despite the fact that more obscure but perhaps equally influential characters contributed to the eventual outcome. Unheralded but played a decisive role at Austerlitz, Smolensk, Borodino, and Maley Yaroslavetz. Fedor Ivanovich Dolokhov (Fedya) – Valiant in battle. A partisan leader in 1812. A cold man, he is a noted duelist and drinker, but is caring for his disadvantaged family. He once duels with Pierre and is nearly killed. Was rumored to be having an affair with Helene Bezukhov. Proposed unsuccessfully to Sonya. His possible prototypes were Count Fyodor Ivanovich Tolstoy, (also known as the "American"), Rufin Dorokhov (friend of Lermontov, killed during the Caucasian War), and renowned partisan leader Colonel Alexandre Figner. Later participates in guerilla attacks against the retreating French.Commentary of N.M. Fortunatov to War and Peace novel for the edition Толстой Л. Н. Собрание сочинений в 22-х томах. Т.4. Война и мир. М. «Худож. лит.», 1979. Maria Ivanovna Dolokhova – mother of Fedor Dolokhov Dron Zakhárych (Drónushka) – Village elder of Bogutcharovo Princess Anna Mikhaylovna Drubetskaya – Friend of and cousin Countess Rostova and a relative of Count Kirill Vladimirovich Bezukhov, one of the richest people in the Russian Empire. Although she was an impoverished, elderly widow she belonged to one of the most ancient aristocratic families in Russia. Supporter of Boris, her son. Boris Drubetskoy – ambitious son of Princess Anna Mikhaylovna Drubetskaya and godson of the old and rich Count Kirill Vladimirovich Bezukhov. Army officer; fought at Austerlitz and later married Julie Karagina, thereby becoming rich. Childhood friend of Countess Rostova. Dunyasha – Princess Marya Bolkonsky's childhood nurse who has remained a faithful servant to the family.
E Eykhen – officer of the General Staff at Tarutino
F
Colonel Fabvier – of the French army in Spain Feoktist – "famous head chef" of the English Club Maria Feodorovna (1759–1828) (also Marya Fyodorovna) – Dowager empress of Russia Archduke Ferdinand Karl Joseph of Austria-Este (1754–1806) Filipp – footman to Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky Emperor Francis I of Austria (1768–1835) Baron Funke
G
Prince Galitzine (1769–1813) – A nobleman who has hired a tutor to instruct him in Russian, as French, the language preferred by the upper classes, became identified with the enemy. Gavrilo – Maria Dmitrievna's "gigantic footman" Gerasim – Servant to Bazdeyef Gervais – Associate of Speranski Glinka – editor of the Russian Messenger Major-General Grekov – Commanded two regiments of cossacks under Orlov-Denisov at Taratino. Initially routed French under Marat.
H
Maria Hendrihovna – wife of the Russian army's regimental doctor Hvostikov – friend of Anatole Kuragin
I
Ilyin – Friend of Nikolai Rostov, junior officer in the Army Iogel – dancing master and organiser of balls in Moscow Mikhail Ivanovich – Taciturn architect employed by Prince Nikolay Bolkonsky
J
Julner – colonel in Napoleon's army
K
Julie Karagina – wealthy heiress. Friend of Marya Bolkonskaya. Married Boris Drubetskoy. Marya Lvovna Karagina – mother of Julie Karagina. Platon Karataev – peasant who influences Pierre Bezukhov during his time as a prisoner of war. Killed by the French for not being able to keep up. Archduke Karl of Austria (1771–1847) Karp – a peasant at Bald Hills, the leader of a small revolt after the old Count Bolkonsky has died. Andrei Sergeich Kaysarov – brother of Paisi Kaysarov Paisi Kaysarov (1783–1844) – Kutuzov's adjutant in the Battle of Borodino. Kirsten – Staff-Captain who is listed as very honorable and proud of his regiment. He is said to have been demoted twice due "affairs of honour," and has twice been reinstated to his current rank. Count Kochubey – associate of Andrei Bolkonsky in St Petersburg (in Book 2 part 3) Komarov – cossack with Petya Rostov in irregular forces Kondratyevna – elderly housemaid in the Rostov household Pyotr Konovnitsyn – Like Dokhturov, a character Tolstoy expresses his admiration of in order to reconcile the reader to the fact that the successful defense of Russia could not be achieved by those recognised by history alone. Prince Kozlovsky – aide-de-camp to General Kutuzov (see below) Aline Kuragina – Wife of Vasili Kuragin who only appears once in the novel. Anatole Kuragin – son of Vasili Kuragin. Handsome, irresponsible and somewhat hedonistic military officer. Planned to seduce Natasha Rostova. Hélène Kuragina – daughter of Vasili Kuragin. Later Countess Bezukhova (wife of Pierre Bezukhov). Beautiful, self-serving woman. Rumored at one point to have an affair with Fyodor Dolokhov. Hippolyte Kuragin (also Prince Ippolit) – son of Vasili Kuragin. A dull and boring man. A diplomat and the butt of Bilibin's humor. Vasili Sergeevich Kuragin (also Prince Vassily) – self-seeking man who has a low opinion of his children but seeks to further their interests. Convinces Pierre Bezukhov to marry his daughter Hélène despite Pierre's reservations. Prince Vasili is self-serving and manipulative throughout the novel, and consistently attempts to swindle Pierre Bezukhov. General Kutuzov (1745–1813) – real-life Russian general featuring throughout the book. His diligence and modesty eventually save Russia from lasting French occupation. Mavra Kuzminishna – elderly servant of the Rostovs.
L
Count Langeron (1763–1831) – Noble who left France. A commander on the Russian side at Austerlitz, where his troops were decimated. Dominique Jean Larrey (1766–1842) – surgeon to Napoleon Jacques Lauriston (1768–1828) – The first of two envoys sent to Kutuzov by Napoléon in an attempt to negotiate peace.