Mr. Standfast · Character

Moxon Ivery

A courteous Biggleswick resident whose quiet erudition masks the most dangerous German agent in Britain, and the man Hannay must unmask.

major

Also known as Mr. Ivery, Ivery, Mr. Moxon Ivery

First appearance: mr standfast

As a major figure in Mr. Standfast, Moxon Ivery is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Chairs the Moot Hall debate; Hannay observes his bland appearance and silver-tongued oratory, and is briefly introduced to him.

In the storyThe Village Named MoralityOpen this moment free

See Moxon Ivery in The Village Named Morality Book page

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In the pacifist colony at Biggleswick, Ivery passes as a mild, well-read gentleman, welcome at every tea table and above suspicion. Yet the war's whole secret machinery seems to bend around him: he is the spider at the centre of a web that reaches from Scottish cliffs to American journalists. Hannay's pursuit of him becomes the spine of the book, and the closer he gets, the more the affable scholar's mask slips toward something imperial and merciless.

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See Moxon Ivery in mr standfast

Character Web

26 connections

A slice of how Moxon Ivery sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Core Intelligence Team
Minor Characters and Locals

+21 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and identity crisis point where Richard…

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Relationships

Mary Lamington
psychological · negative
Mary is manipulated and deceived by Ivery, who poses as a friend while being a German spy. How this plays out →
Abel Gresson
professional · negative
Clarence Donne
professional · negative
Richard Hannay
rivalry · negative
Launcelot Wake
rivalry · negative
Mary Lamington
psychological · negative
Mary is manipulated and deceived by Ivery, who poses as a friend while being a German spy. How this plays out →
Richard Hannay
rivalry · negative
Mary Lamington
psychological · negative
Mary is manipulated and deceived by Ivery, who poses as a friend while being a German spy. How this plays out →
Clarence Donne
professional · negative
Richard Hannay
rivalry · negative
Launcelot Wake
rivalry · negative
Abel Gresson
professional · negative

Mary Lamington
Mary is manipulated and deceived by Ivery, who poses as a friend while being a German spy.
Abel Gresson
Gresson is a subordinate and accomplice to Ivery, carrying out his orders in the spy network.
Clarence Donne
Donne is a subordinate agent working under Ivery's direction in the espionage network.
Richard Hannay
Ivery and Hannay are direct enemies, with Hannay hunting Ivery as a dangerous spy.
Launcelot Wake
Wake is deeply suspicious of Ivery and actively works to expose his treachery.
Mary Lamington
Mary is manipulated and deceived by Ivery, who poses as a friend while being a German spy.
Richard Hannay
Ivery and Hannay are direct enemies, with Hannay hunting Ivery as a dangerous spy.
Mary Lamington
Mary is manipulated and deceived by Ivery, who poses as a friend while being a German spy.
Clarence Donne
Donne is a subordinate agent working under Ivery's direction in the espionage network.
Richard Hannay
Ivery and Hannay are direct enemies, with Hannay hunting Ivery as a dangerous spy.
Launcelot Wake
Wake is deeply suspicious of Ivery and actively works to expose his treachery.
Abel Gresson
Gresson is a subordinate and accomplice to Ivery, carrying out his orders in the spy network.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Moxon Ivery in mr standfast

In the story

Moxon Ivery appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Village Named Morality
Chairs the Moot Hall debate; Hannay observes his bland appearance and silver-tongued oratory, and is briefly introduced to him.
The Reflections of a Cured Dyspeptic
Ivery travels with Hannay to the north, encouraging his mission and displaying a cheerful, cultured demeanor.
I Hear of the Wild Birds
Referenced as the master German agent Hannay is pursuing; his communication lines are being uncovered.
X: The Advantages of an Air Raid
Hannay realizes Ivery has played him from the start; Ivery has escaped, and Hannay fears he is a genius of evil.
The Adventure of the Picardy Château
Identified as the man calling himself Bommaerts; he is in love with Mary and uses the Château as a base.
Mr. Blenkiron Discourses on Love and War
The primary antagonist; Blenkiron discusses his infatuation with Mary and the lead obtained from the cipher operation.
XVI: I Lie on a Hard Bed
Reveals himself as von Schwabing; boasts of Germany's plans and his manipulation of Hannay; leaves Hannay trapped.
XVII: The Col of the Swallows
The antagonist who has kidnapped Mary and is heading for Germany via the Pink Chalet and the Underground Railway.
The Underground Railway
The antagonist who reveals his true self, proposes to Mary, and explains the Underground Railway system.
XIX: The Cage of the Wild Birds
Revealed as Graf von Schwabing; boasts of his espionage but is captured and sentenced to the front.
How an Exile Returned to His Own People
Now a prisoner, he is fearful and degraded; he appeals to Hannay for mercy but is forced into the ranks; he is killed while trying to escape to the German lines.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Moxon Ivery unlock in the free preview.

See Moxon Ivery in mr standfast

See Moxon Ivery in The Village Named Morality