Manhattan Transfer · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos.
Skim names here — open a free preview to see character cards and Character Web beside the page as you read.
Jimmy Herf
major
Also known as Jimmy, James, Jim Herf, Jim, Honeysuckle Jim, Herf, Honestly Herf, old man Herf
A wandering journalist and central protagonist navigating New York's chaotic social landscape.
Ellen Thatcher
major
Also known as Ellen, little Ellen, Ellie, Nellie, Elaine, God Nellie, little Elaine, Opposite Ellen
An ambitious actress and Jimmy's love interest, embodying the city's glittering yet hollow promise.
George Baldwin
major
Also known as Baldwin, George, Hello George, Honest George, Mr. Baldwin
A successful lawyer and politician entangled with Ellen and the city's elite.
Stan Emery
supporting
Also known as Stan, Poor old Emery, Stan Emery, Emery, Stanwood Emery, young Stanwood Emery, O Stanwood
A wealthy, alcoholic friend of Jimmy who spirals into self-destruction.
James Merivale
supporting
Also known as Jimmy, James, Captain James Merivale D.S.C., Merivale, Captain James Merivale, Captain Merivale, Mr. James Merivale
A war hero and Ellen's first husband, representing old-world propriety.
Lily Herf
supporting
Also known as Lil, Lily Herf, Lily, Joe Harland, Harland, Joseph Harland, Poor dear Lily
Jimmy's mother, a faded Southern belle struggling with poverty and illness.
Bud Korpenning
supporting
Also known as Bud
A farm boy who arrives in New York with blood on his hands and no plan beyond finding work, quickly learning the city has no use for him.
Ruth Prynne
minor
Also known as Ruth, Ruth Prynne, Miss Prynne
A naive young woman from upstate who becomes involved with Bud.
Congo Jake
supporting
Also known as Congo, jake, Congo Jake, Hello Congo, Jake, Meester
A boisterous sailor whose postcards from distant ports and easy generosity make him a legend among the women and drifters he leaves behind.
Anna Cohen
minor
Also known as Anna, Anna Cohen, Ann, Ann - ee
A Jewish immigrant working as a seamstress, seeking a better life.
Gus McNiel
minor
Also known as Gus McNiel, Gus, Augustus McNiel, Poor old Gus, McNiel, Gus McNiel bullnecked redfaced, Mr. McNiel
A rough, hard-drinking fireman and friend of the characters.
Cassandra Wilkins
minor
Also known as Cassie, Hello Cassie, Cassandra Wilkins, Cassandra, Cassahndrah, Cassah - ndrah Wilkins
A socialite and friend of Ellen, part of the city's fashionable set.
Emily Merivale
minor
Also known as Emily, Aunt Emily, Milly
James Merivale's aunt, a proper and traditional woman.
Emile Rigaud
minor
Also known as Emile, Emile Rigaud, Rigaud, Hullo Emile
A French restaurateur and shady character involved in various schemes.
Ed Thatcher
minor
Also known as Ed Thatcher, Ed, Thatcher, Ed Thatcher's, Edward C. Thatcher, Millionaire Thatcher
Ellen's father, a struggling businessman who dreams of wealth.
Maisie
minor
Also known as Maisie, Seen May Sweitzer, May, Margie, Mae Merrill
A chorus girl and friend of Ellen, navigating the theater world.
Harry Goldweiser
minor
Also known as Goldweiser, Harry Goldweiser, Harry
A wealthy Jewish businessman and patron of the arts.
Tony Hunter
minor
Also known as Tony Hunter, Tony, Hunter
A young man about town, part of the social scene.
Uncle Jeff
minor
Also known as Uncle Jeff, Jeff, Jefferson
A relative of Lily Herf, offering occasional support.
Susie Thatcher
minor
Also known as Susie, Poor Susie, Thatcher, Susie Thatcher
Ellen's younger sister, who dies young.
Nevada Jones
minor
Also known as Nevada, Nevada Jones
A prostitute and acquaintance of the underworld characters.
Phil Sandbourne
minor
Also known as Phil, Say Phil, Phil Sandbourne, Sandbourne, George Sandbourne, Mr. Sandbourne
A friend of George Baldwin, involved in business and politics.
Martin Schiff
minor
Also known as Martin, Martin Schiff, Little Martin
A young intellectual and friend of the bohemian set.
Jack Cunningham
minor
Also known as Jack, Johnny, old man Perkins, Cunningham, Perkins, Jack Cunningham, Jack Cunningham Salmagundi Perkins, old Perkins, Mr. Jack Cunningham, Mr. Cunningham
A newspaperman and friend of Jimmy's circle.
Roy Sheffield
minor
Also known as Roy Sheffield, Roy, Mrs. Roy Sheffield
A young man from a wealthy family, briefly involved with Ellen.
Cecily
minor
Also known as Cecily, Poor old Cecily
A minor character, possibly a maid or servant.
Joe O'Keefe
minor
Also known as O'Keefe, Joe, Joe O'Keefe, Joey, Hello Joe, Joseph, Joe O'Keefe
An Irish-American friend and drinking companion of Jimmy.
Phineas P. Blackhead
minor
Also known as Phineas P. Blackhead, Phineas Blackhead, Blackhead, the Blackhead
A pompous and wealthy businessman, a symbol of old New York.
Rose Segal
minor
Also known as Rosie, Segal, Rose Segal
A young Jewish woman working in the garment industry.
Dutch Robertson
minor
Also known as Dutch Robertson, Dutch, Robinson, Dutch Robinson, Forbes Robertson in Hamlet
An actor and acquaintance of the bohemian crowd.
Morris Allwight
minor
Also known as Morris, Allwight Morris
A minor character in the city's social circles.
Jojo
minor
Also known as Jojo
A black servant or worker in the city's background.
Madame Rigaud
minor
Also known as Madame Rigaud
Emile Rigaud's wife, a quiet presence in his life.
Alice Sheffield
minor
Also known as Alice Sheffield, Alice
Roy's sister, a socialite.
Charlie
minor
Also known as Charlie, Hay Charlie, Charley, Hay
A minor character, possibly a waiter or bartender.
Jake Silverman
minor
Also known as Silverman, Jake, Jake Silverman, Jacob Silverman, Mr. Silverman
A Jewish businessman and associate of Goldweiser.
Marco
minor
Also known as Marco wazzahell, Marco
An Italian immigrant, part of the city's diverse fabric.
Elaine Oglethorpe
minor
Also known as Elaine Thatcher Oglethorpe, Elaine, Elaine Oglethorpe, Oglethorpe, Ellie, Miss Elaine
A socialite and later wife of John Oglethorpe.
Mrs. Baldwin
minor
Also known as Mrs. Baldwin, Baldwin
George Baldwin's wife, a socialite.
Mike Doheny
minor
Also known as Mike Doheny, Mike
A fireman and friend of Gus McNiel.
Mike Cardinale
minor
Also known as Mike Cardinale, Cardinale, Mike
An Italian immigrant involved in petty crime.
Mrs. Budkowitz
minor
Also known as Mrs. Budkowitz
A Jewish mother and neighbor in the tenements.
Frances Hildebrand
minor
Also known as Frances, Oh Frances, Hildebrand, Helena Frances Hildebrand, Francie, Frances Hildebrand, Jez Francie, Jez
A bohemian artist and friend of the circle.
Mr. Goldstein
minor
Also known as Mr. Goldstein
A Jewish shopkeeper or businessman.
John Oglethorpe
minor
Also known as John Oglethorpe, Oglethorpe
A wealthy man who marries Elaine.
Madame Soubrine
minor
Also known as Madame Soubrine, Madame Soubrine Robes
A French dressmaker, employer of Anna Cohen.
Mrs. Merivale
minor
Also known as Mrs. Merivale, Merivale
James Merivale's mother, a traditional woman.
Mrs. Jack Cunningham
minor
Also known as Mrs. Jack Cunningham, Jack, Mrs. Cunningham, the second Mrs. Cunningham
Jack Cunningham's wife, a social climber.
Miss Oglethorpe
minor
Also known as Miss Oglethorpe, Oglethorpe
A member of the Oglethorpe family.
Elmer
minor
Also known as Elmer
A minor character, possibly a servant or worker.
Captain McAvoy
minor
Also known as Captain McAvoy, McAvoy
A police captain in the city.
Grant Bullock
minor
Also known as Bullock, Grant Bullock of the American
A newspaper reporter.
Florence
minor
Also known as Florence
A minor female character, possibly a prostitute.
The Colonel
minor
Also known as The Colonel, the Colonel
An elderly Southern gentleman, a friend of Lily Herf.
Skinny
minor
Also known as Skinny
A minor character, possibly a waiter or bartender.
Felsius
minor
Also known as Hello Felsius, Felsius
A minor character, possibly a shopkeeper.
Freddy
minor
Also known as Freddy, little Harris, Little Harris, Sandy, Al Harrison, Fred, Harry
A minor character in the theater world.
Armand Duval
minor
Also known as Armand, Armand Duval
A character from a play within the novel.
Fifi Waters
minor
Also known as Fifi Waters, lil Fifi, Fifi
A chorus girl and friend of Maisie.
Mr. Oglethorpe
minor
Also known as Mr. Oglethorpe, Oglethorpe
The patriarch of the Oglethorpe family.
Mr. Perry
minor
Also known as Mr. Perry
A minor character, possibly a businessman.
Billy
minor
Also known as I've, Billy I've, Billy, Billy Jones, O Billy, Mrs. William C. Olafson
A minor character, possibly a sailor or worker.
Bob Hildebrand
minor
Also known as Bob Hildebrand, Hildebrand, Bob
Frances Hildebrand's husband, an artist.
Daddy
minor
Also known as Daddy, daddy
A minor character, possibly a father figure.
Ole Specker
minor
Also known as Ole Specker, Specker, ole Specker, old man Specker
An old man in the city, possibly a drunk.
Annette Kellermann
minor
Also known as Annette, Annette Kellermann
A famous swimmer and actress, mentioned as a celebrity.
Georgy
minor
Also known as honest Georgy, Georgy
A minor character, possibly a child or servant.
Muddy
minor
Also known as Muddy, Lucky Muddy, And muddy
A minor character, possibly a nickname.
The Ogle
minor
Also known as the Ogle, Ogle
A nickname for a member of the Oglethorpe family.
Mr. Fallik
minor
Also known as Mr. Fallik
A Jewish shopkeeper or tailor.
Jimps
minor
Also known as Jimps, Hello Jimps, Goodnight Jimps
A minor character, possibly a child.
Holyoke
minor
Also known as Holyoke ole fella, Holyoke
A minor character, possibly a friend of the circle.
Serena
minor
Also known as Serena
A minor female character.
Mr. Harpsicourt
minor
Also known as Mr. Harpsicourt
A minor character, possibly a musician.
Mrs. Herf
minor
Also known as Mrs. Herf, Angelica Mrs. Herf, Angelica, Herf
Jimmy's stepmother, a kind woman.
The Judge
minor
Also known as the judge, The judge
A judge presiding over a court case.
Hay Schmidt
minor
Also known as Hay Schmidt, Schmidt
A minor character, possibly a German immigrant.
Mrs. Culveteer
minor
Also known as Mrs. Culveteer
A minor character, possibly a landlady.
Buck
minor
Also known as Hullo Buck, Buck
A minor character, possibly a nickname.
Mrs. Densch
minor
Also known as Mrs. Densch, Densch Fail, Densch
Mr. Densch's wife.
Gabriel
minor
Also known as Gabriel, The angel Gabriel
A biblical reference, used as an exclamation.
