# Mr. Shelby — National Avenue character guide

> Mr. Shelby in National Avenue by Booth Tarkington.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** dry old Mr. Shelby, Shelby

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

## Who they are

A dry, older gentleman connected to the Shelby family, appearing in social scenes.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Mr. Shelby is a business associate of Dan, with a formal and transactional relationship.

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

_professional_

Mr. Shelby is a business associate of Dan, with a formal and transactional relationship.

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

_professional_

Mr. Shelby is a business associate of Dan, with a formal and transactional relationship.

## In the story

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/v)

Dan's father, genial and kind, but uncertain about the engagement.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/vi)

Martha's father, a dry old businessman who refuses to extend a streetcar line to Ornaby Addition and dismisses Dan as a fool-boy.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/vii)

Mr. Shelby is mentioned as refusing to put a car line to Ornaby Addition, a key obstacle for Dan.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xvi)

Travels to New York with Martha, concerned about automobile dangers.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xvii)

Reads the will aloud and attempts to mediate the family's reactions.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xviii)

Referred to as 'dry old Mr. Shelby' in the context of the parents' discussions.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xix)

Martha's father, left alone during her travels; he resists her attempts to arrange a housekeeper and enjoys his independence.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xx)

Mentioned as Martha's father, who did not keep her informed of home news.

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

Mentioned as Dan's father, who comments on Mrs. Savage's possible agnosticism and the change in child-rearing.

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

Irritable and angry after a confrontation with Dan about the streetcar line, he criticizes Martha for standing up for Dan and hints at hidden knowledge about Dan's treatment of her.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/national_avenue_se/chapters/xxiii)

Mr. Shelby is referenced as exploding when Dan's car line through the Addition is mentioned, and as stubbornly sticking to horses.

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

Listed among the 'old conservative business men' who shake their heads at the new developments.

## Links

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