# George McMillan — National Avenue character guide

> George McMillan in National Avenue by Booth Tarkington.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. George Howe, McMillan

**First appearance:** 0001-national-avenue

## Who they are

A McMillan whose dealings with the Oliphants braid business ambition with social friction, testing where money ends and manners begin.

## Relationships

### [Dan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/dan_oliphant)

_rivalry_

Dan and George are bitter rivals, competing for Lena's affection and social standing.

### [Lena McMillan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/lena_mcmillan)

_family_

George is Lena's brother, protective of her but often at odds with her choices.

### [Harlan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/harlan_oliphant)

_rivalry_

George and Harlan are antagonists, often clashing over Lena and local power dynamics.

### [Lena McMillan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/lena_mcmillan)

_family_

George is Lena's brother, protective of her but often at odds with her choices.

### [Dan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/dan_oliphant)

_rivalry_

Dan and George are bitter rivals, competing for Lena's affection and social standing.

### [Dan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/dan_oliphant)

_rivalry_

Dan and George are bitter rivals, competing for Lena's affection and social standing.

### [Harlan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/harlan_oliphant)

_rivalry_

George and Harlan are antagonists, often clashing over Lena and local power dynamics.

### [Lena McMillan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/lena_mcmillan)

_family_

George is Lena's brother, protective of her but often at odds with her choices.

### [Harlan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/harlan_oliphant)

_rivalry_

George and Harlan are antagonists, often clashing over Lena and local power dynamics.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/ii)

Lena's brother and Dan's friend; introduces Dan to the McMillan family and brings him a ball invitation.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/viii)

Lena's brother, who advises her to think carefully about marrying Dan. He confesses his own weaknesses and his desire to escape New York's temptations, warning Lena about her own reliance on music and alcohol.

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

Recipient of Lena's letter detailing her complaints about the West and her marriage.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xiv)

Mentioned as Dan's brother-in-law in New York who has an engineer with designs for automobile engine improvements and plans to partner with Dan.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxv)

Mentioned as a portly bachelor of forty who half-seriously courts Martha.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxvi)

Rivals Harlan for Martha's attention; defends Dan's view of industrial growth as beautiful; mentions having met Venable.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxvii)

Accompanies Lena to the concert, looks depressed and nervous, and insists on escorting her home.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxix)

George informs Dan of Lena's departure and promises to bring Henry back within four days.

### [The End of Dan Oliphant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxx)

Returns from failed negotiation with Lena, reports to Harlan, and learns of Dan's decline.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters/george_mcmillan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/characters