# T. J. Rigg — Elmer Gantry character guide > T. J. Rigg in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Rigg, Rigg **First appearance:** 0057-chapter-x ## Snapshot A wealthy, influential businessman whose backing and money help underwrite Elmer's rise, and whose interests the pulpit is expected to serve. ## Who they are Rigg belongs to the class of prosperous laymen whose donations and connections keep a fashionable church running and whose approval can make or break a pastor's ambitions. His support is the kind that comes with expectations, and Elmer's genius for flattering exactly such men is central to how he climbs. Rigg matters because he shows the machinery beneath the revival: money, influence, and the unspoken bargain between the pew and the pulpit. ## Relationships ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry) _professional_ T. J. Rigg is a shady lawyer and fixer who helps Elmer cover up scandals and manage legal troubles. ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry) _professional_ T. J. Rigg is a shady lawyer and fixer who helps Elmer cover up scandals and manage legal troubles. ### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry) _professional_ T. J. Rigg is a shady lawyer and fixer who helps Elmer cover up scandals and manage legal troubles. ## In the story ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) A wealthy criminal lawyer and trustee of Wellspring Church. He hosts Elmer at his home, offers him a relaxed environment, and advises him to preach a sensational vice sermon to draw crowds. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vii) Rigg, a lawyer-trustee, is consulted by Elmer along with Bishop Toomis regarding strategic alliances. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxv) Elmer visits T. J. Rigg for relaxation and information about contributors. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) T. J. Rigg provides Elmer with a safe, relaxed place to unwind and gives him information about the private business careers of church contributors. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxvi) Elmer's friend and pillar, supports his vice-crusading ideas and is proud of building up Wellspring Church. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) Elmer's friend and pillar, supports his plans and offers to find a private detective. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iv) Hides Elmer at his house and warns him about the dangers of antagonizing big bootleggers. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) T. J. Rigg advises Elmer on social climbing, suggesting he target the wealthy elite at the Tonawanda Country Club rather than the Rotarians, and helps engineer Elmer's membership there. ### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxix) Advises Elmer on how to exploit Frank's heresies and schemes to bring William Dollinger Styles to their church. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/i) Advises Elmer on using Frank's sermons against him and arranges for their transcription. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) Arranges a golf foursome with Elmer and William Dollinger Styles. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi) Rigg acts as Elmer's co-conspirator, flattering Styles and hinting at a rebuke to his old church, while also benefiting from Methodist clients. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/vi) Writes to Nonconformist business acquaintances in London on Elmer's behalf. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iv) A key supporter of Elmer; Hettie flatters and encourages him, deepening his devotion to Elmer and the church. ### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxxii) T. J. Rigg agrees to help Elmer by stalling for time and hiring detectives to investigate the Dowlers. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) Roused from sleep, he listens to Elmer's confession and agrees to help stall Oscar Dowler. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iv) Negotiates with Silverhorn and plans to use detectives against the Dowlers. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/chapter-xxxiii) Arranges for detective Pete Reese to expose Hettie's past; orchestrates the confession and settlement. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as a location where Elmer is tracked by reporters. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/chapters/iii) Orchestrates the scheme, hires detective Pete Reese, and forces Hettie to sign a false confession. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/t_j_rigg - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters