# William Dollinger Styles — Elmer Gantry character guide

> William Dollinger Styles in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. Styles, Deacon Styles

**First appearance:** 0057-chapter-x

## Who they are

A prominent deacon in Elmer's church in Zenith.

## Relationships

### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry)

_professional_

William Dollinger Styles is a wealthy businessman and church benefactor who supports Elmer's ministry.

### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry)

_professional_

William Dollinger Styles is a wealthy businessman and church benefactor who supports Elmer's ministry.

### [Elmer Gantry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/elmer_gantry_se/characters/elmer_gantry)

_professional_

William Dollinger Styles is a wealthy businessman and church benefactor who supports Elmer's ministry.

## In the story

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

William Dollinger Styles, a hardware magnate and member of the Tonawanda house committee, introduces himself to Elmer and welcomes him to the club.

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

Wealthy deacon who is courted by Elmer and Rigg, and turns against Frank after his confession.

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

Mentioned as a wealthy target for Elmer's scheme.

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

Deacon at Dorchester Church; manipulated by Elmer into arranging a dinner to question Frank's beliefs.

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

Deacon who sides with Elmer and demands Frank resign from the ministry.

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

Deacon Styles informs the church body that Frank is attacking all religion, prompting the meeting.

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

Styles is courted by Elmer and Rigg, eventually persuaded to join their church after being made to feel insulted by his own congregation.

### [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 wealthy figure whom Hettie cultivates by praising him as a 'Napoleon of Finance'; she lunches with him alone, causing Elmer's jealousy.

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

Original target of Hettie and Oscar's scheme, but he avoided the trap.

## Links

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