# Elmer Gantry — Character guide

> Key figures in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

- [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry.md): A charismatic and ambitious minister who rises through the ranks of American evangelism.
- [Frank Shallard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/frank_shallard.md): A sincere and questioning minister who struggles with his faith and the hypocrisy around him.
- [Sharon Falconer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/sharon_falconer.md): A famous and magnetic female evangelist who becomes Elmer's lover and partner.
- [Jim Lefferts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/jim_lefferts.md): Elmer's college friend and a skeptical journalist who often challenges his hypocrisy.
- [Eddie Fislinger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/eddie_fislinger.md): A zealous and narrow-minded fellow student at the seminary.
- [Lulu Bains](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/lulu_bains.md): A young woman seduced and abandoned by Elmer, later seeking redemption.
- [Cleo Benham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/cleo_benham.md): Elmer's devoted and long-suffering wife.
- [Bess Shallard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/bess_shallard.md): Frank Shallard's kind and supportive wife.
- [Philip McGarry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/philip_mcgarry.md): A blunt and honest doctor who is a friend to Frank Shallard.
- [T. J. Rigg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/t_j_rigg.md): A wealthy and influential businessman who backs Elmer's church.
- [Judson Roberts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/judson_roberts.md): A rough, older man who becomes a convert at Elmer's revival.
- [Floyd Naylor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/floyd_naylor.md): A farmer and early follower of Elmer's ministry.
- [Dr. Howard Bancock Binch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/howard_bancock_binch.md): A pompous and self-important minister in Zenith.
- [Dr. Bruno Zechlin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/bruno_zechlin.md): A scholarly and liberal professor at the seminary.
- [Hettie Dowler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/hettie_dowler.md): A gossipy and malicious woman who spreads rumors about Elmer.
- [Juanita Klauzel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/juanita_klauzel.md): A woman with whom Elmer has an affair during his early career.
- [William Dollinger Styles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/william_dollinger_styles.md): A prominent deacon in Elmer's church in Zenith.
- [Cecil Aylston](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/cecil_aylston.md): An Episcopal minister and friend to Frank Shallard.
- [Harry Zenz](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/harry_zenz.md): A slick and cynical traveling salesman friend of Elmer's.
- [Bishop Wesley R. Toomis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/bishop_wesley_r_toomis.md): A high-ranking bishop in the Methodist church.
- [Horace Carp](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/horace_carp.md): A fellow student at the seminary, known for his affectations.
- [Mr. Pengilly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/mr_pengilly.md): An old, kind minister who mentors Elmer early on.
- [Mrs. Evans Riddle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/mrs_evans_riddle.md): A wealthy parishioner in Elmer's first church.
- [Lily Anderson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/lily_anderson.md): A young woman Elmer courts before his marriage.
- [Mrs. Gantry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/mrs_gantry.md): Elmer's mother, a pious and domineering woman.
- [Mannie Silverhorn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/mannie_silverhorn.md): A slick, dishonest revival promoter who works with Elmer.
- [Dr. Willoughby Quarles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/willoughby_quarles.md): The president of the small college Elmer attends.
- [Art Nichols](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/art_nichols.md): A friend of Elmer's from his college days.
- [J. E. North](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/j_e_north.md): A businessman and parishioner in Zenith.
- [Deacon Bains](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/deacon_bains.md): Lulu Bains's father, a deacon in the church.
- [Brother Karkis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/brother_karkis.md): A fellow minister and associate of Elmer's.
- [Ad Locust](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/ad_locust.md): A friend of Elmer's from his early days.
- [Don Pickens](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/don_pickens.md): A friend of Elmer's from his college days.
- [Lem Staples](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/lem_staples.md): A local doctor in the town where Elmer first preaches.
- [Clyde Tippey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/clyde_tippey.md): A fellow minister and associate of Elmer's.
- [Father Matthew Smeesby](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/father_matthew_smeesby.md): A Catholic priest who befriends Frank Shallard.
- [Mrs. Besom](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/old_mrs_besom.md): An elderly woman in Elmer's first parish.
- [Dr. Zahn](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/dr_zahn.md): A doctor in the town of Elmer's first church.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters