The History Boys Character Run Downs | Will Thompson -

• Hector - Hector is an eccentric old fashioned teacher who refuses to conform to the modern ways of teaching and often disagrees with Irwin's teaching style. Hector teaches a very broad range of subjects shown by having a french lesson reenacting a brothel as one of his lessons however he insists this is useful knowledge which develops the boys language skills. 'All knowledge is precious whether or not it serves the slightest of human use'. Hector is also a pedophile and touches the boys on his motorcycle, he tries to justify this however Tott and the headmaster take it very seriously I see no excuse for his actions. Finally Hectors teaching inspire all the boys however Posner arguably more than others.
• Miss Lintott (Tott or Totty) - Miss Lintott contrasts Hector in teaching styles as she is purely interested in teaching the boys the facts and history where as Hector is more interest in culture and broadening the boys mind even if it does not follow the curriculum. However Miss Lintott in still very fond of Hector and admires him in some ways. Tott also feels strongly about the sexism shown throughout history and is not afraid to explain this to the boys. Finally Miss Lintott is aware of the line between teacher and pupil and advises Irwin to keep his personal feelings to himself.
• Irwin - Irwin is different from Miss Lintott and Hector as he is only a fews years older than the boys so is far more relatable to them. He teaches the boys to approach the exam and history as a game and tells them how to beat it by saying the opposite to the question. Irwin also contrasts Hector and Miss Lintott as the boys seem to have power over him both in the lessons and when Dakin offers himself to him he cannot help but to fall for his urges.
• Headmaster (Hector) - The headmaster is portrayed as a fool, he is far less inteligent than all the other teaches and his attitude towards Oxbridge is mocked by the others. He also shows throughout that he is very self centered and only cares about the results of the students as well as the his own reputation rather than caring about the repercussions his actions make on students and teachers.
• Posner - Posner is madly in love with Dakin and Dakin is aware of this but uninterested, Posner is also aware that Irwin shares his feelings and he notices him also admiring Dakin. Posner does not fit in fully with the others as shown by Hector not letting him on his bike. Posner gets into Cambridge mostly due to his paper on Hitler where he showed detachment from his Jewish roots which was praised however this exemplifies that although Irwin's methods worked they were still amoral. 
• Dakin - Dakin is the leader of the boys and is favored by both Hector and Irwin, as well as Posner who loves him, he also understands the game which Irwin is trying to teach. Dakin is also a manipulator in many ways, he uses sex to get what he want e.g. with Fiona and Irwin, and also manipulates Felix by using blackmail to keep Hector hired. Finally it is shown throughout that Dakin is not a very morale person, this is shown through the ways he talks to Posner and how he talks about Fiona.
• Scripps - Scripps is a strong christian and a budding writer, he narrates some openings to scenes and Posner and Dakin often confess to him as if he were a priest. It is likely that Scripps is a representation of Bennet. 
• Rudge - Rudge is the least intelligent of the boys and the teachers regard him as a 'lost cause', he is also patronized occasionally by the boys and teachers however he is not not stupid and recognizes this. Rudge is also very hard working and excels in sports, he makes it clear he does not have an interest in history and cares more about proving to others that he can get in to university rather than actually getting into the university.
• Timms - Timms is the class clown who tries to find a joke from anything, he is often subject to whack from Hector and enjoys teasing Irwin. 
• Lockwood, Akthar and Crowther - These three boys are not given strong personality's, however input with the quick witted repartee within both Hector and Irwins lessons. Crowther is a keen actor, Akthar is a Muslim and Lockwood is a shrewd film buff who is interested in politics.