# Abel Gresson — Mr. Standfast character guide

> Abel Gresson in Mr. Standfast by John Buchan.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** This Gresson, Mr. Gresson, old man Gresson

**First appearance:** 0004-part-i-ii-the-village-named-morality

## Who they are

A suspicious American businessman with hidden loyalties.

## Relationships

### [Moxon Ivery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/moxon_ivery)

_professional_

Gresson is a subordinate and accomplice to Ivery, carrying out his orders in the spy network.

### [Cornelius Brand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/cornelius_brand)

_professional_

Gresson and Brand are co-conspirators in Ivery's spy ring, working together on covert operations.

### [Mary Lamington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/mary_lamington)

_psychological_

Gresson attempts to manipulate and intimidate Mary, recognizing her as a threat to his plans.

### [Launcelot Wake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/launcelot_wake)

_rivalry_

Gresson and Wake are antagonists, with Wake suspicious of Gresson's true loyalties.

### [Andrew Amos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/andrew_amos)

_rivalry_

Gresson and Amos are on opposite sides, with Amos being a loyal British agent opposing Gresson.

### [Cornelius Brand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/cornelius_brand)

_professional_

Gresson and Brand are co-conspirators in Ivery's spy ring, working together on covert operations.

### [Andrew Amos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/andrew_amos)

_rivalry_

Gresson and Amos are on opposite sides, with Amos being a loyal British agent opposing Gresson.

### [Launcelot Wake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/launcelot_wake)

_rivalry_

Gresson and Wake are antagonists, with Wake suspicious of Gresson's true loyalties.

### [Mary Lamington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/mary_lamington)

_psychological_

Gresson attempts to manipulate and intimidate Mary, recognizing her as a threat to his plans.

### [Launcelot Wake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/launcelot_wake)

_rivalry_

Gresson and Wake are antagonists, with Wake suspicious of Gresson's true loyalties.

### [Moxon Ivery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/moxon_ivery)

_professional_

Gresson is a subordinate and accomplice to Ivery, carrying out his orders in the spy network.

### [Moxon Ivery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/moxon_ivery)

_professional_

Gresson is a subordinate and accomplice to Ivery, carrying out his orders in the spy network.

## In the story

### [The Reflections of a Cured Dyspeptic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-reflections-of-a-cured-dyspeptic)

Gresson is identified by Blenkiron as a key figure in the spy network; Hannay is to get close to him in Glasgow.

### [IV: Andrew Amos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-iv-andrew-amos)

American speaker at a political meeting who incites a riot. Hannay protects him during a subsequent street fight. Amos reveals Gresson is sailing as purser on the Tobermory.

### [Various Doings in the West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-v-various-doings-in-the-west)

Suspicious fellow passenger; Hannay follows him; possibly involved in Hannay's near-fall overboard.

### [VI: The Skirts of the Coolin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-vi-the-skirts-of-the-coolin)

Mentioned by Amos as a stirring lad, indicating he is a potential threat.

### [I Hear of the Wild Birds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-vii-i-hear-of-the-wild-birds)

The Portuguese Jew who meets the German naval officer at the platform, exchanging passwords and hiding messages in the stones.

### [The Adventures of a Bagman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-viii-the-adventures-of-a-bagman)

Mentioned as having left Tobermory and being connected to Linklater; a potential threat to Hannay.

### [X: The Advantages of an Air Raid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-x-the-advantages-of-an-air-raid)

Mentioned as part of Ivery's gang; Hannay believes Gresson tried to drown him and set the police on him.

### [XII: I Become a Combatant Once More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-i-xii-i-become-a-combatant-once-more)

Suspected enemy agent; visited France as part of a Labour delegation and had a suspicious illness at Eaucourt Sainte-Anne.

### [The Adventure of the Picardy Château](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-the-adventure-of-the-picardy-ch-teau)

Mentioned as a suspect; Hamilton saw him, and his sudden illness is one of Hannay's clues.

### [Mr. Blenkiron Discourses on Love and War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-mr-blenkiron-discourses-on-love-and-war)

Mentioned as the backer of the 'Deep-breathing' syndicate; Blenkiron confirms he has been dealt with.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters/abel_gresson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mr_standfast_se/characters