# Charley McKelvey — Babbitt character guide

> Charley McKelvey in Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** McKelvey, Charles McKelvey, Mrs. Charles McKelvey

**First appearance:** 0000-chapter-i

## Who they are

A wealthy contractor and social climber in Zenith's elite circle.

## Relationships

### [George F. Babbitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/george_f_babbitt)

_social_

A wealthy and socially superior acquaintance whom George both admires and resents, representing the upper-class social ladder George aspires to climb.

### [George F. Babbitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/george_f_babbitt)

_social_

A wealthy and socially superior acquaintance whom George both admires and resents, representing the upper-class social ladder George aspires to climb.

### [George F. Babbitt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/george_f_babbitt)

_social_

A wealthy and socially superior acquaintance whom George both admires and resents, representing the upper-class social ladder George aspires to climb.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/ii)

Mentioned as a wealthy former college classmate whose social success Babbitt both envies and disparages.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-vii)

His wife Lucile McKelvey is mentioned in the scene with Horace Updike.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as a member of the Tonawanda Country Club.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as the millionaire contractor whose wife Lucile is seen on the train.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xv)

The wealthy and powerful class hero whom Babbitt courts for social favor; he accepts Babbitt's dinner invitation but the evening is awkward.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i)

A millionaire contractor and former college friend whom Babbitt hopes to reconnect with.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/ii)

The hero of the class, now a wealthy construction magnate, whom Babbitt admires and tries to impress.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii)

Guest of honor; leaves early, claiming his wife has a headache.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iv)

Hosts the Ceylon dinner-dance for Sir Gerald Doak, headlined in the society pages.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as host of a party where Babbitt previously met Sir Gerald Doak.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iv)

Referenced indirectly through Lucile McKelvey, whom Babbitt imagines admonishing.

### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/chapter-xxxii)

Accompanies the committee to pressure Babbitt; reacts angrily to Babbitt's defiance.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/iii)

A contractor and one of the high lords of Zenith; he snarls at Babbitt when Babbitt hesitates to join the League.

### [The Good Citizens' League](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as a member of the Good Citizens' League who helps raise funds for the Y.M.C.A.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters/charley_mckelvey
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/babbitt_se/characters