# The Autobiography of an Idea — Character guide

> Key figures in The Autobiography of an Idea by Louis H. Sullivan.

- [Louis Henri Sullivan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/louis_henri_sullivan.md): The narrator and protagonist, a young boy growing up in New England and later becoming an architect.
- [The Child](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/the_child.md): The young Louis Sullivan, often referred to in third person as 'the child'.
- [Grandpa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/grandpa.md): Louis's grandfather, a strong influence during his early childhood in Massachusetts.
- [Minnie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/minnie.md): Louis's younger sister, a frequent companion in childhood scenes.
- [Patrick Sullivan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/patrick_sullivan.md): Louis's father, a musician and dancing master.
- [Julia Head](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/julia_head.md): Louis's mother, a gentle and nurturing presence in his early life.
- [Grandma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/grandma.md): Louis's grandmother, who lives with the family and helps raise the children.
- [Daniel Hudson Burnham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/daniel_hudson_burnham.md): A prominent Chicago architect and later business partner of Root and Sullivan.
- [The Master](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/the_master.md): A mysterious, idealized figure representing artistic guidance in Sullivan's reflections.
- [John Root](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/john_root.md): A talented architect and partner of Burnham, admired by Sullivan.
- [Moses Woolson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/moses_woolson.md): A teacher at the English High School in Boston who influences young Louis.
- [John Edelmann](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/john_edelmann.md): A fellow architect and friend of Sullivan in Chicago.
- [Mamma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/mamma.md): A term of endearment for Julia Head, Louis's mother.
- [Father](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/father.md): Louis's father, Patrick Sullivan, often referred to formally.
- [Papa](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/papa.md): Another affectionate term for Louis's father.
- [Monsieur Clopet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/monsieur_clopet.md): A French dancing master who teaches Louis in Newburyport.
- [Grandmama](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/grandmama.md): Louis's maternal grandmother, a refined and elderly relative.
- [Burling & Adler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/burling_and_adler.md): An architectural firm where Sullivan works early in his career.
- [Sundays Billy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/sundays_billy.md): A childhood friend of Louis in Newburyport.
- [Burnham & Root](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/burnham_and_root.md): The architectural partnership of Daniel Burnham and John Root.
- [John A. Tompson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/john_a_tompson.md): A friend and fellow student of architecture in Boston.
- [Sonny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/sonny.md): A nickname for young Louis used by family members.
- [Henri List](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/henri_list.md): A relative or family friend associated with the Sullivan family.
- [Professor William R. Ware](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/professor_william_r_ware.md): An architecture professor at MIT who teaches Louis.
- [Frank Furness](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/frank_furness.md): A notable Philadelphia architect admired by Sullivan.
- [Grandmamma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/grandmamma.md): Alternate spelling for Louis's grandmother.
- [Boardman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/boardman.md): A friend or acquaintance from Louis's Boston days.
- [Mr. Wheelock](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/mr_wheelock.md): A teacher or mentor figure in Louis's early education.
- [Dankmar Adler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/dankmar_adler.md): A prominent architect and later partner of Sullivan.
- [Eugene Letang](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/eugene_letang.md): A French architect or acquaintance from Sullivan's Paris stay.
- [Mother Earth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/mother_earth.md): A personification of nature in Sullivan's philosophical reflections.
- [Major William Le Baron Jenney](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/major_william_le_baron_jenney.md): A pioneering architect and engineer in Chicago.
- [Emil Vaudremer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/emil_vaudremer.md): A French architect who teaches at the École des Beaux-Arts.
- [Christopher Columbus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/christopher_columbus.md): Historical figure referenced in Sullivan's childhood reading.
- [Anna List](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/anna_list.md): A relative or family friend of the Sullivans.
- [Tante Jennie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/tante_jennie.md): An aunt of Louis, possibly from the French side.
- [Auntie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/auntie.md): A generic term for an aunt, possibly Aunt Jenny.
- [Louis Philippe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/louis_philippe.md): A French king mentioned in historical context.
- [John Sherman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/john_sherman.md): A U.S. Senator and statesman referenced in the narrative.
- [Edward T. Jefferey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/edward_t_jefferey.md): An architect or builder associated with Sullivan.
- [Richard M. Hunt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/richard_m_hunt.md): A prominent American architect of the Beaux-Arts style.
- [Andrienne List Sullivan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/andrienne_list_sullivan.md): A relative, possibly Louis's aunt or cousin.
- [Friend Stratton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/friend_stratton.md): A friend of the Sullivan family in Newburyport.
- [Richard Wagner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/richard_wagner.md): German composer whose music influences Sullivan's aesthetic.
- [William B. Curtis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/william_b_curtis.md): An acquaintance or colleague in Chicago.
- [Uncle Julius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/uncle_julius.md): An uncle of Louis, possibly on the Sullivan side.
- [George Tompson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/george_tompson.md): A friend or relative of John A. Tompson.
- [Frederick Baumann](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/frederick_baumann.md): A German-born architect practicing in Chicago.
- [Luke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/luke.md): A servant or worker on the Sullivan family property.
- [Miss Blank](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/miss_blank.md): A placeholder name for a female teacher or acquaintance.
- [Henry Richardson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/henry_richardson.md): A renowned American architect, admired by Sullivan.
- [Adler & Sullivan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_autobiography_of_an_idea_se/characters/adler_and_sullivan.md): The architectural partnership of Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan.

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