# The Rise of Silas Lapham — Character guide

> Key figures in The Rise of Silas Lapham by William Dean Howells.

- [Silas Lapham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/silas_lapham.md): A self-made paint millionaire struggling to enter Boston high society while facing financial ruin.
- [Mrs. Lapham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/mrs_lapham.md): Silas's practical and morally grounded wife who guides her family through social and ethical trials.
- [Penelope Lapham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/penelope_lapham.md): The witty, intelligent elder Lapham daughter who becomes entangled in a love triangle with Tom Corey.
- [Irene Lapham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/irene_lapham.md): The beautiful but naive younger Lapham daughter who believes Tom Corey is courting her.
- [Tom Corey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/tom_corey.md): A gentleman's son who defies his class to work for Silas Lapham and falls in love with Penelope.
- [Bromfield Corey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/bromfield_corey.md): Tom's aristocratic, witty father who lives on inherited wealth and observes the social drama.
- [Mrs. Corey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/mrs_corey.md): Tom's socially ambitious mother who initially opposes the Lapham connection.
- [Milton K. Rogers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/milton_rogers.md): Silas's former business partner who returns to pressure him into a dubious financial deal.
- [Bartley Hubbard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/bartley_hubbard.md): A journalist who interviews Silas Lapham at the novel's opening and later reappears.
- [Mr. Sewell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/sewell.md): A Unitarian minister who offers moral counsel to the Laphams and Coreys.
- [James Bellingham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/james_bellingham.md): A Boston Brahmin and Bromfield Corey's brother-in-law who advises on social matters.
- [Nanny Corey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/nanny_corey.md): Tom Corey's sister, a young society woman who befriends the Lapham girls.
- [Zerrilla Millon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/zerrilla_millon.md): A young woman from a poor family who becomes entangled with the Laphams through Rogers.
- [Jim Millon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/jim_millon.md): A soldier who died in the war, leaving a widow and daughter whom Silas feels obligated to help.
- [Miss Kingsbury](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/miss_kingsbury.md): A wealthy Boston spinster who hosts social events and befriends the Laphams.
- [Lily Corey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/lily_corey.md): Bromfield Corey's unmarried sister who lives with the family.
- [Walker](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/walker.md): Silas Lapham's clerk or assistant at the paint office.
- [Mr. Seymour](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/seymour.md): An architect who designs the Laphams' new house on Beacon Street.
- [Charles Bellingham](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/charles_bellingham.md): James Bellingham's son, a young man about town.
- [Rene](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/rene.md): A Frenchman who appears briefly at a Corey dinner party.
- [Mrs. Rogers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/mrs_rogers.md): Milton Rogers's wife, mentioned in connection with her husband's schemes.
- [Marcia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/marcia.md): A servant or acquaintance briefly mentioned in the Lapham household.
- [Dennis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/dennis.md): A workman or servant associated with the Lapham paint works.
- [William](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/william.md): A relative or family friend of the Coreys mentioned in passing.
- [Mrs. Millon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_rise_of_silas_lapham_se/characters/mrs_millon.md): Jim Millon's widow, who receives financial help from Silas Lapham.

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