Jean-Jacques Rousseau
The protagonist and narrator, Rousseau is a resourceful, impulsive guy. He's grown up an orphan, learning to take care of himself from a young age. As an adult, he finds himself constantly in social trouble for not being able to control his sexual impulses. He makes arrangements with several wealthy old aristocratic ladies to be their boy toy in exchange for provisions. Every time he gets in trouble, his solution is to run away. He's not good at accepting responsibility or fixing his problems. On the other hand, he becomes an exceptional writer and successful artist. His many adventures have made him a terribly interesting person and never short on friends.
Uncle Bernard
He raises Rousseau after the boy's dad has to go into hiding from the law. Bernard does not inconvenience himself in order to provide for Rousseau, so he makes the kid's life difficult. He does, however, allow his son, Bernard, to strike up a meaningful friendship with his cousin.
Pontverre
While Rousseau is an apprentice, he becomes friends with Pontverre. He's a scoundrel who's up to no good. Although he hooks Rousseau up with a new job, it's with a rich old woman as his sugar momma.
Mme de Warens
She is a wealthy older aristocrat with a fondness for younger men. Upon first meeting, she falls in love with Rousseau. She's a wild, filthy old lady who makes her intentions obvious. She accepts him back after Rousseau's sojourn in Turin. By this point she's found a new boy toy, but she's just using him to make Rousseau jealous. Once she gets what she wants from him, she rewards him with the position as head over all of her vast finances, an office which he performs dutifully until he returns from a trip one day to find himself replaced by an even younger man.
Claude Anet
He's a charming, handsome young man who becomes Mme de Warens's lover during Rousseau's first absence. Although he dislikes his social position, Anet truly cares for Mademoiselle. He dies tragically just in time for Rousseau to re-ingratiate himself with the old lady.
The Count
This man employs Rousseau in Venice to oversee his estate. Unfortunately he has an awful temper and doesn't like Rousseau to begin with, so he causes all kinds of trouble for him. Eventually he accuses Rousseau of stealing from him and kicks him out.
Therese
Rousseau falls in love with her upon first sight and marries her. Unwilling to fully commit, however, he continues to have multiple affairs throughout their marriage. By year two, Therese lives alone in Rousseau's house, and he lives with his new benefactor, Mme d'Epinay.
Mme d'Epinay
She owns an expensive estate called the Hermitage. After seeing Rousseau's successful play, she invites him to live with her. Used to this kind of arrangement by now, Rousseau accepts. She takes advantage of his volatile mental state in light of his failing marriage. It is Mme d'Epinay who socially embarrasses Rousseau by gossiping about his affair with Mme d'Houdetot.
Mme d'Houdetot
Despite being engaged to Saint Lambert, she starts an affair with Rousseau. She's captivated by his passionate words and the danger of the affair.
The Luxembourgs
This couple hires Rousseau to make art for them. He never likes them, however, and makes fools out of them with his books. After word spreads of the books' embarrassing content, the Luxembourgs lose their tempers and arrange for Rousseau to be tried for blasphemy.
