# Mr. Bickersdyke — Psmith in the City character guide > Mr. Bickersdyke in Psmith in the City by P. G. Wodehouse. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. John Bickersdyke, Bickersdyke, John, Comrade Bickersdyke, old Bick, Bick **First appearance:** 0003-i-mr-bickersdyke-walks-behind-the-bowler-s-arm ## Snapshot The bank's pompous manager and aspiring politician, whose club dinners and self-importance make him the perfect target for Psmith's patient campaign. ## Who they are Mr. Bickersdyke presides over the New Asiatic Bank with the gravity of a man who expects to be somebody in politics, and belongs to the Senior Conservative Club chiefly for its excellent cuisine. He has no idea that a tall young man with an eyeglass is studying his habits, waiting on staircases and biding his time with the patience of a successful general. His collision with Psmith supplies the novel's central contest of wit against pomposity. ## Relationships ### [Psmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters/psmith) _rivalry_ Antagonistic relationship where Psmith constantly outwits and undermines his bank manager and later political opponent. ### [Mike Jackson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters/mike_jackson) _rivalry_ Mike is frequently at odds with Bickersdyke, who dislikes him due to his association with Psmith. ### [Mr. Jackson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters/mr_jackson) _professional_ Bickersdyke and Mr. Jackson have a tense professional relationship due to Bickersdyke's dislike of Psmith and Mike. ### [Psmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters/psmith) _rivalry_ Antagonistic relationship where Psmith constantly outwits and undermines his bank manager and later political opponent. ### [Mr. Jackson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters/mr_jackson) _professional_ Bickersdyke and Mr. Jackson have a tense professional relationship due to Bickersdyke's dislike of Psmith and Mike. ### [Psmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters/psmith) _rivalry_ Antagonistic relationship where Psmith constantly outwits and undermines his bank manager and later political opponent. ### [Mike Jackson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters/mike_jackson) _rivalry_ Mike is frequently at odds with Bickersdyke, who dislikes him due to his association with Psmith. ### [Mike Jackson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters/mike_jackson) _rivalry_ Mike is frequently at odds with Bickersdyke, who dislikes him due to his association with Psmith. ## In the story ### [Psmith in the City](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/psmith-in-the-city) Bank manager, addressed constituents, confronted by Psmith at club, receives Mike's confession. ### [Mr. Bickersdyke Walks Behind the Bowler's Arm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/i-mr-bickersdyke-walks-behind-the-bowler-s-arm) Manager of a bank and aspiring politician; walks behind the bowler's arm, causing Mike's dismissal. ### [Mike Hears Bad News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/ii-mike-hears-bad-news) The family bulldog, who follows Mike to the study and provides a moment of relief during the tense conversation. ### [The New Era Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/iii-the-new-era-begins) Referred to by Psmith as 'Comrade Bickersdyke' and 'a Merchant Prince'; Psmith criticizes his bridge skills and attire, and their relationship remains strained. ### [First Steps in a Business Career](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/iv-first-steps-in-a-business-career) The bank manager who recognizes Mike from their earlier encounter but treats him coldly and impersonally. ### [The Other Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/v-the-other-man) Discussed by Mr. Waller as a very able but unpopular manager, with a history of climbing the career ladder and a strained relationship with the cashier. ### [Psmith Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/vi-psmith-explains) Referenced as the bank manager who holds grudges against both Psmith and Mike. ### [VII: Going Into Winter Quarters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/vii-going-into-winter-quarters) Questions Psmith's work ethic; receives Psmith's father's regards without comment; accepts Rossiter's assurance about Psmith's work. ### [The Haunting of Mr. Bickersdyke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/ix-the-haunting-of-mr-bickersdyke) Becomes increasingly unsettled by Psmith's persistent, patronizing presence at the club, culminating in a bridge revoke and an outburst. ### [X: Mr. Bickersdyke Addresses His Constituents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/x-mr-bickersdyke-addresses-his-constituents) The bank manager is in a foul mood, contemplates dismissing Psmith but realizes he has no grounds. Later addresses a political meeting, where Psmith heckles him. ### [Misunderstood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xi-misunderstood) The target of Psmith's intervention at the meeting. He is described as being annoyed and unappreciative of Psmith's 'friendly' correction regarding the stolen story. ### [In a Nutshell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xii-in-a-nutshell) Furious over the meeting incident, he confronts Psmith but is outmaneuvered and left speechless. ### [Mike Is Moved On](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xiii-mike-is-moved-on) Mr. Bickersdyke remains hostile toward Mike, reprimanding him for minor infractions like posting unstamped letters. ### [Psmith Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xviii-psmith-makes-a-discovery) Bickersdyke is revealed to have been a socialist speaker in the Tulse Hill Parliament, a fact Psmith intends to use against him. ### [Concerning a Cheque](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xx-concerning-a-cheque) Present during the confrontation about the forged cheque; described as wanting to get rid of Mr. Waller. ### [XXI: Psmith Makes Inquiries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xxi-psmith-makes-inquiries) Furiously berates Mike in his office, using his public-speaking fluency to denounce him. ### [And Takes Steps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xxii-and-takes-steps) Mr. Bickersdyke is the target of Psmith's intervention; he is observed entering the Turkish Baths. ### [Mr. Bickersdyke Makes a Concession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xxiii-mr-bickersdyke-makes-a-concession) Reluctantly concedes to Psmith's demands, agreeing not to dismiss Mike Jackson. ### [The Spirit of Unrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xxiv-the-spirit-of-unrest) Elected to Parliament by a small majority; his election alters the power dynamic with Psmith and Mike. ### [Breaking the News](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xxvi-breaking-the-news) Bank manager who disciplines Mike by assigning Psmith to replace him temporarily. ### [At Lord's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xxvii-at-lord-s) Mentioned as the manager who will likely use Mike's desertion to dismiss him; Psmith reports a brief chat with him. ### [XXVIII: Psmith Arranges His Future](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xxviii-psmith-arranges-his-future) Mentioned as the manager who will be pained by Psmith's resignation. ### [And Mike's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xxix-and-mike-s) Mentioned as the target of Psmith's impending resignation announcement at the club. ### [XXX: The Last Sad Farewells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/chapters/xxx-the-last-sad-farewells) Caught off guard by Psmith's resignation; had planned to dismiss Psmith for leaving work early, but is outmaneuvered in the conversation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters/mr_bickersdyke - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/psmith_in_the_city_se/characters