# Daniel Webster Irving — Oil! character guide > Daniel Webster Irving in Oil! by Upton Sinclair. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** Mr. Irving, Mr. Daniel Webster Irving, Dan Irving, Dan, Irving **First appearance:** 0001-oil ## Who they are A lawyer or businessman involved in the oil industry. ## Relationships ### [Bunny Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/bunny_ross) _psychological_ Bunny is fascinated and somewhat obsessed with Daniel Webster Irving, a charismatic but manipulative figure. ### [Bunny Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/bunny_ross) _psychological_ Bunny is fascinated and somewhat obsessed with Daniel Webster Irving, a charismatic but manipulative figure. ### [Bunny Ross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/bunny_ross) _psychological_ Bunny is fascinated and somewhat obsessed with Daniel Webster Irving, a charismatic but manipulative figure. ## In the story ### [X: The University](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/x-the-university) Instructor at the university, secretly sowing doubts about the war and the Allies' motives; Bunny brings him to Paradise to meet his father. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii) A young instructor at Southern Pacific University who subtly introduces 'dangerous thoughts' about the peace conference and secret treaties, influencing Bunny. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/v) University instructor who fears losing his job if he discusses Siberia openly. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vi) Bunny's instructor who explains the financial motives behind American intervention in Russia and recommends banned magazines. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vii) Bunny's instructor-friend, invited to the oil field; he discusses Russia and Siberia with Bunny on the drive. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/viii) The 'professor' guest, answers Dad's questions about world affairs, shares inside knowledge of diplomacy and relief work, subtly aligns with Bunny's Bolshevik views. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/x) Bunny takes him to lunch; he gives Bunny a Socialist article about Russia. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ii) Young instructor who declines to advise the group, citing risk to his position. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xi) Fired from his teaching position due to the scandal; reveals the existence of a spy and the workings of the 'Improve America League.' ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xii) Blacklisted from teaching; Bunny seeks to help him by funding a labor college he would run. ### [XIV: The Star](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xiv-the-star) Labor instructor struggling to keep the labor college running amid factional disputes. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/i) Young instructor struggling to organize the labor college. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/i) His labor college is in debt; Bunny writes him a check for $200. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/ii) Provided the address where Paul and Ruth are staying. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/viii) Dan Irving closes the labor college, takes a job as a Washington correspondent for a radical press service, and plans to investigate the naval oil leases. He carefully clears Bunny of any involvement. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/x) Mentioned as being on the trail of Vernon Roscoe in Washington, investigating the lease. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii) His Washington letter is cited as revealing Roscoe and O'Reilly's deal to buy the nomination for Harding. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iv) Former teacher of Bunny and head of a failed labor college; writes articles attacking Vernon Roscoe and the Sunnyside lease. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vi) Writes to Bunny about his new job as a radical press correspondent, detailing scandals and the suppression of news. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii) Writes Bunny gossip from Washington about Harding's death and the oil scandals. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vii) Provides Washington letters for the labor press service. ### [XX: The Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/xx-the-dedication) Consoles Bunny in Washington; discusses systemic corruption in American business; accepts Bunny's monthly donation for his labor press service. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/i) Consoles Bunny, explains the systemic corruption of big business, and discusses his labor press service; accepts Bunny's funding. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/vi) Comments on the founder's role and the need to get rid of money. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/daniel_webster_irving - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters