# Cecil Aylston — Elmer Gantry character guide

> Cecil Aylston in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Reverend Cecil Aylston

**First appearance:** 0043-chapter-viii

## Who they are

An Episcopal minister and friend to Frank Shallard.

## Relationships

### [Sharon Falconer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/sharon_falconer)

_professional_

Cecil Aylston is Sharon Falconer's devoted, long-suffering business manager and platonic companion.

### [Sharon Falconer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/sharon_falconer)

_professional_

Cecil Aylston is Sharon Falconer's devoted, long-suffering business manager and platonic companion.

### [Sharon Falconer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/sharon_falconer)

_professional_

Cecil Aylston is Sharon Falconer's devoted, long-suffering business manager and platonic companion.

## In the story

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xi)

Cecil Aylston, Sharon's first assistant, reads the Scripture lesson and dismisses Elmer's advances.

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

Sharon's first assistant, an Oxonian who reads the Scripture lesson; he dismisses Elmer coolly, earning Elmer's resentment.

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

Cecil Aylston observes Elmer and Sharon's interaction with a lack of sanctity, and later manages the troupe's logistics like a quartermaster sergeant.

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

Sharon's assistant, described as having flaxen hair and a superior British complexion. He interrupts the breakfast to remind Sharon of a clergy committee meeting and glares at Elmer.

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

A mystic, ritualist, scholar, and adventurer with a checkered past, now devoted to Sharon Falconer.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/v)

Brought by Sharon to dinner; he and Elmer clash over evangelistic methods, with Cecil favoring a more cultured approach.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned by Elmer as the current assistant he hopes to replace in Sharon's team.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xii)

Mentioned as Sharon's former mentor and lover, whom she plans to dismiss in favor of Elmer.

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

Mentioned as Sharon's former mentor and sermon writer, a source of Elmer's jealousy.

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

Mentioned as a rival for Sharon's affection, whom she plans to dismiss. He is critical of her grammar and sophistication.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xiii)

Former assistant to Sharon; dismissed by Sharon; later dies in a gambling den in Juarez.

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

Discharged by Sharon Falconer, later attempts a rescue mission in Buffalo, is examined for insanity, and is killed in a gambling den in Juarez.

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

Briefly mentioned by Sharon as one of the few people who have helped her.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/cecil_aylston
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters