# Harry Leroy — Iola Leroy character guide

> Harry Leroy in Iola Leroy by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Harry, Harry North, XIV Harry Leroy, The North, Wedding Harry

**First appearance:** 0016-xiv-harry-leroy

## Snapshot

Iola's brother, a Union soldier who rises from the audience to claim his sister and telegraphs their mother the news she has waited years to hear.

## Who they are

Separated from his family by slavery and war, Harry serves the Union cause while never abandoning the search for his mother and sister. At the conference he presses eagerly forward the moment Iola's name is spoken, and the recognition that follows is the novel's first great reunion. His teasing memory of the laughing, harum-scarum girl she used to be measures how much the fiery ordeal has remade her.

## Relationships

### [Iola Leroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters/iola_leroy)

_family_

Harry is Iola's brother, and they share a loving sibling relationship, with Harry supporting Iola's independence.

### [Marie Leroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters/marie_leroy)

_family_

Harry is Marie's son, and their relationship is warm and supportive, with Marie encouraging his education and freedom.

### [Robert Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters/robert_johnson)

_family_

Harry and Robert are brothers, and their bond is strengthened by shared struggle and eventual reunion.

### [Iola Leroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters/iola_leroy)

_family_

Harry is Iola's brother, and they share a loving sibling relationship, with Harry supporting Iola's independence.

### [Iola Leroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters/iola_leroy)

_family_

Harry is Iola's brother, and they share a loving sibling relationship, with Harry supporting Iola's independence.

### [Robert Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters/robert_johnson)

_family_

Harry and Robert are brothers, and their bond is strengthened by shared struggle and eventual reunion.

### [Marie Leroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters/marie_leroy)

_family_

Harry is Marie's son, and their relationship is warm and supportive, with Marie encouraging his education and freedom.

### [Robert Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters/robert_johnson)

_family_

Harry and Robert are brothers, and their bond is strengthened by shared struggle and eventual reunion.

## In the story

### [Shadows in the Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/x-shadows-in-the-home)

Cries to his mother after being called a racial slur by a neighbor's boy; plans are made for his education in the North.

### [XI: The Plague and the Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xi-the-plague-and-the-law)

Attending school in Maine; his father writes to him about plans to come North.

### [XIV: Harry Leroy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xiv-harry-leroy)

Receives the devastating letter from Iola, falls into a swoon, and later recovers to enlist in a colored regiment.

### [After the Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xvi-after-the-battle)

Iola's brother, mentioned as someone she hopes to find.

### [XXII: Further Lifting of the Veil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xxii-further-lifting-of-the-veil)

Attends the Methodist conference in search of his sister Iola; recognizes and reunites with her.

### [XXIII: Delightful Reunions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xxiii-delightful-reunions)

Teaching and leading among young men; introduces Miss Delany to Iola; expresses commitment to racial uplift.

### [Visitors from the South](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xxix-visitors-from-the-south)

Arrives with Miss Delany; recounts an incident of being mistaken for white and forced to declare himself colored.

### [XXXI: Dawning Affections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xxxi-dawning-affections)

Mentioned as being out at a concert with Lucille; benefits from Dr. Latimer's friendship and guidance.

### [Wooing and Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xxxii-wooing-and-wedding)

Harry serves as an attendant at Iola's wedding and enjoys his vacation with Miss Delany.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/chapters/xxxiii-conclusion)

Marries Lucille Delany and co-heads a large school, dedicating himself to the education and uplift of the people.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters/harry_leroy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/iola_leroy_se/characters