# Dr. Willoughby Quarles — Elmer Gantry character guide

> Dr. Willoughby Quarles in Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** President Quarles

**First appearance:** 0003-chapter-i

## Who they are

The president of the small college Elmer attends.

## In the story

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

President of Terwillinger College; a Baptist minister who avoids Jim's questions by insisting on prayer and spiritual guidance.

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

President Quarles shows approval of Elmer's conversion, greeting him warmly on the street.

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

President of Terwillinger College, who greets Elmer warmly after his conversion, calling him 'My Boy'.

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

President Quarles welcomes Elmer as a fellow apostle and arranges for him to speak at the Y.M.C.A. meeting.

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

President of Terwillinger College who praises Elmer's conversion and pressures him to speak at the Y.M.C.A.

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

President Quarles calls for Elmer and departs with him.

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

President of the college, observes Elmer's performance with delight, considering him a born preacher and a future leading prophet.

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

President Quarles orchestrates the prayer meeting to help Elmer receive a Call, using manipulative and cloying methods that Elmer resents.

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

President Quarles urges Elmer to become a minister, suggesting it could bring glory to Terwillinger.

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

President Quarles organizes the prayer meeting and later accepts Elmer's false claim of receiving the Call.

## Links

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