Character guide

Louis Henri Sullivan

major

Also known as Henri, Louis Sullivan, O'Sullivan, Louis

The narrator and protagonist, a young boy growing up in New England and later becoming an architect.

The Child

major

Also known as the child

The young Louis Sullivan, often referred to in third person as 'the child'.

Grandpa

supporting

Louis's grandfather, a strong influence during his early childhood in Massachusetts.

Minnie

supporting

Louis's younger sister, a frequent companion in childhood scenes.

Patrick Sullivan

supporting

Also known as Patrick, Sullivan

Louis's father, a musician and dancing master.

Julia Head

supporting

Also known as Julia

Louis's mother, a gentle and nurturing presence in his early life.

Grandma

supporting

Louis's grandmother, who lives with the family and helps raise the children.

Daniel Hudson Burnham

supporting

Also known as Dan Burnham, Burnham, Daniel Burnham

A prominent Chicago architect and later business partner of Root and Sullivan.

The Master

minor

Also known as the master, the Master

A mysterious, idealized figure representing artistic guidance in Sullivan's reflections.

John Root

supporting

Also known as John Wellborn Root, Root

A talented architect and partner of Burnham, admired by Sullivan.

Moses Woolson

supporting

Also known as Woolson

A teacher at the English High School in Boston who influences young Louis.

John Edelmann

supporting

Also known as John

A fellow architect and friend of Sullivan in Chicago.

Mamma

minor

A term of endearment for Julia Head, Louis's mother.

Father

minor

Louis's father, Patrick Sullivan, often referred to formally.

Papa

minor

Also known as Instanter Papa

Another affectionate term for Louis's father.

Monsieur Clopet

minor

Also known as Clopet

A French dancing master who teaches Louis in Newburyport.

Grandmama

minor

Louis's maternal grandmother, a refined and elderly relative.

Burling & Adler

minor

Also known as Adler, Burling

An architectural firm where Sullivan works early in his career.

Sundays Billy

minor

Also known as Billy, Bill

A childhood friend of Louis in Newburyport.

Burnham & Root

minor

Also known as Burnham, Root

The architectural partnership of Daniel Burnham and John Root.

John A. Tompson

minor

Also known as Tompson, John A., lovable John

A friend and fellow student of architecture in Boston.

Sonny

minor

A nickname for young Louis used by family members.

Henri List

minor

A relative or family friend associated with the Sullivan family.

Professor William R. Ware

minor

Also known as Professor Ware

An architecture professor at MIT who teaches Louis.

Frank Furness

minor

Also known as Furness

A notable Philadelphia architect admired by Sullivan.

Grandmamma

minor

Alternate spelling for Louis's grandmother.

Boardman

minor

A friend or acquaintance from Louis's Boston days.

Mr. Wheelock

minor

Also known as this Mr. Wheelock

A teacher or mentor figure in Louis's early education.

Dankmar Adler

supporting

Also known as Adler

A prominent architect and later partner of Sullivan.

Aunt Jenny

minor

An aunt of Louis who visits the family.

Eugene Letang

minor

Also known as Letang

A French architect or acquaintance from Sullivan's Paris stay.

Mother Earth

minor

Also known as Mother

A personification of nature in Sullivan's philosophical reflections.

George Hewitt

minor

Also known as Hewitt

An architect or associate in New York.

Mama

minor

Another term for Louis's mother, Julia.

Major William Le Baron Jenney

minor

Also known as Billy, Jenney, Major Jenney

A pioneering architect and engineer in Chicago.

Emil Vaudremer

minor

Also known as Monsieur Emil Vaudremer, Monsieur Vaudremer

A French architect who teaches at the École des Beaux-Arts.

Ferdinand W. Peck

minor

Also known as Peck

A Chicago businessman and civic leader.

Christopher Columbus

minor

Also known as Columbus

Historical figure referenced in Sullivan's childhood reading.

Anna List

minor

Also known as Anna

A relative or family friend of the Sullivans.

Tante Jennie

minor

Also known as Jennie

An aunt of Louis, possibly from the French side.

Auntie

minor

A generic term for an aunt, possibly Aunt Jenny.

Louis Philippe

minor

Also known as Louie

A French king mentioned in historical context.

John Sherman

minor

Also known as Sherman

A U.S. Senator and statesman referenced in the narrative.

Edward T. Jefferey

minor

Also known as Ed, Jefferey

An architect or builder associated with Sullivan.

Richard M. Hunt

minor

Also known as Richard Hunt

A prominent American architect of the Beaux-Arts style.

Andrienne List Sullivan

minor

Also known as Andrienne

A relative, possibly Louis's aunt or cousin.

Friend Stratton

minor

Also known as Stratton

A friend of the Sullivan family in Newburyport.

Richard Wagner

minor

Also known as Wagner

German composer whose music influences Sullivan's aesthetic.

William B. Curtis

minor

An acquaintance or colleague in Chicago.

Anna Mattheus

minor

A minor figure mentioned in passing.

Uncle Julius

minor

Also known as Jules, Julius

An uncle of Louis, possibly on the Sullivan side.

George Tompson

minor

Also known as George

A friend or relative of John A. Tompson.

Mr. Hale

minor

Also known as Hale

A teacher or mentor in Boston.

Frederick Baumann

minor

A German-born architect practicing in Chicago.

Robert Craik McLean

minor

Also known as McLean

A journalist or editor in Chicago.

Luke

minor

A servant or worker on the Sullivan family property.

Miss Blank

minor

A placeholder name for a female teacher or acquaintance.

Henry Richardson

minor

Also known as the mighty Richardson

A renowned American architect, admired by Sullivan.

Adler & Sullivan

minor

Also known as Adler

The architectural partnership of Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan.