# Peter Harrigan — King Coal character guide

> Peter Harrigan in King Coal by Upton Sinclair.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pete, Harrigan, old Peter Harrigan, Mr. Peter Harrigan

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

The absentee magnate whose coal empire feeds on cheap labor, ruling Pedro's camps from afar while his payrolls and profits dictate who eats and who starves.

## Relationships

### [Hal Warner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/hal_warner)

_friendship_

Peter Harrigan is Percy's father and a local union leader, working with Hal to organize the miners for better conditions.

### [Hal Warner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/hal_warner)

_friendship_

Peter Harrigan is Percy's father and a local union leader, working with Hal to organize the miners for better conditions.

### [Hal Warner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/hal_warner)

_friendship_

Peter Harrigan is Percy's father and a local union leader, working with Hal to organize the miners for better conditions.

## In the story

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xxii)

Implicated by Cotton as the source of corruption and money for Hal's college.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xxiv)

Referenced as the powerful figure who bought politicians and acquired coal lands cheaply.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xxi)

Referenced as a wealthy mine owner who passes the collection plate at church but is blamed for oppression.

### [The Confrontation Between Brothers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/x)

Mentioned as the powerful figure returning from the East whose displeasure could threaten the Warner family's interests.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xi)

Mentioned as a looming threat who will rage upon returning from the East.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xii)

Hal accuses Peter Harrigan of wronging the Rafferty family.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/chapters/xv)

Referenced as the source of telegraph instructions that Cartwright follows, representing corporate control.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters/peter_harrigan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_coal_se/characters