widow Colonel Morden: A man of fortune, closely related to the Harlowe family Mrs. Howe: The mother of Miss Howe Mr. Hickman: Miss Howe's suitor Dr. Lewin: One of Clarissa's educators, a divine of great piety and learning Dr. H: A physician Mr. Elias Brand: A young clergyman Lord M.: Mr. Lovelace's uncle Lady Sarah Sadleir: Half-sister of Lord M., widow, lady of honour and fortune Lady Betty Lawrance: Half-sister of Lord M., widow, lady of honour and fortune Miss Charlotte: Niece of Lord M., maiden lady of character Patty Montague: Niece of Lord M., maiden lady of character Richard Mowbray: Libertine, gentleman, companion of Mr. Lovelace Thomas Doleman: Libertine, gentleman, companion of Mr. Lovelace James Tourville: Libertine, gentleman, companion of Mr. Lovelace Thomas Belton: Libertine, gentleman, companion of Mr. Lovelace Capt. Tomlinson: The assumed named of a pander that aids Mr. Lovelace Mrs. Moore: A widowed gentlewoman, keeping a lodging-house at Hampstead Miss Rawlins: A notable young gentlewoman in Hampstead Mrs. Bevis: A lively widow in Hampstead Mrs. Sinclair: The pretended name of a private brothel keeper in London; pretends to be Lady Betty Sally Martin: Assistant of, and partner with, Mrs. Sinclair Polly Horton: Assistant of, and partner with, Mrs. Sinclair Joseph Leman: Servant William Summers: Servant Hannah Burton: Servant Betty Barnes: Servant Dorcas Wykes: Servant Response Clarissa is generally regarded by critics to be among the masterpieces of eighteenth-century European literature. Influential critic Harold Bloom cited it as one of his favourite novels that he "tend[ed] to re-read every year or so". The novel was well-received as it was being released. However, many readers pressured Richardson for a happy ending with a wedding between Clarissa and Lovelace. At the novel's end, many readers were upset, and some individuals even wrote alternative endings for the story with a happier conclusion. Some of the most well-known ones included happier alternative endings written by two sisters Lady Bradshaigh and Lady Echlin. Richardson felt that the story's morals and messages of the story failed to reach his audience properly. As such, in later editions of the novel, he attempted to make Clarissa's character appear purer while also Lovelace's character became more sinister in hopes of making his audience better understand his intentions in writing the novel. The pioneering American nurse Clara Barton's full name was Clarissa Harlowe Barton, after the heroine of Richardson's novel. Radio and television adaptations The BBC adapted