# Excelsior Pete — Oil! character guide

> Excelsior Pete in Oil! by Upton Sinclair.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Peter, Pete, Excelsior Peter, Pete O'Reilly

**First appearance:** 0001-oil

## Who they are

A minor character, possibly a worker or performer.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/i)

Oil king and major donor to the university, whose corrupt wealth funds the institution and shapes its curriculum.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/chapters/iii)

Old Pete O'Reilly, the oil king whose money built the university's athletic machine.

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

Old Pete O'Reilly, a self-made oil millionaire, hosts the weekend at his estate and negotiates with Dad Ross.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters/excelsior_pete
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oil_se/characters