Psmith in the City · Character

Rossiter

The postage department's punctilious senior clerk, a stickler for rules whose secret passion for Manchester United becomes the key to Psmith's campaign.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Rossiter, Comrade Rossiter

First appearance: First Steps in a Business Career

As a supporting figure in Psmith in the City, Rossiter is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Present at the Clapham Common socialist meeting.

In the storyPsmith in the CityOpen this moment free

See Rossiter in Psmith in the City Book page

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Mr. Rossiter patrols the postage desk with a watchdog's zeal, forever catching Psmith mid-conversation and warning that the bank pays him to work, not to talk about football. Psmith, undeterred, deduces from a single sighting at Chelsea that the man is nuts on Manchester United, then spends a fortnight mastering League trivia until the entente cordiale is complete. His unlikely friendship with Psmith clears the ground for the haunting of Mr. Bickersdyke.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Rossiter sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Rossiter in First Steps in a Business Career

Character Web

13 connections

A slice of how Rossiter sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Bank employees and family
Extended office staff and acquaintances
Protagonist

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Psmith, having…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Psmith
professional · ambivalent
Rossiter is a senior clerk at the bank who Psmith treats with amused condescension and… How this plays out →
Mike Jackson
professional · ambivalent
Psmith
professional · ambivalent
Rossiter is a senior clerk at the bank who Psmith treats with amused condescension and… How this plays out →
Mike Jackson
professional · ambivalent
Psmith
professional · ambivalent
Rossiter is a senior clerk at the bank who Psmith treats with amused condescension and… How this plays out →
Mike Jackson
professional · ambivalent

Psmith
Rossiter is a senior clerk at the bank who Psmith treats with amused condescension and occasional manipulation.
Mike Jackson
Mike works under Rossiter's supervision at the bank, enduring his fussy and officious manner.
Psmith
Rossiter is a senior clerk at the bank who Psmith treats with amused condescension and occasional manipulation.
Mike Jackson
Mike works under Rossiter's supervision at the bank, enduring his fussy and officious manner.
Psmith
Rossiter is a senior clerk at the bank who Psmith treats with amused condescension and occasional manipulation.
Mike Jackson
Mike works under Rossiter's supervision at the bank, enduring his fussy and officious manner.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Rossiter in First Steps in a Business Career

In the story

Rossiter appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Psmith in the City
Present at the Clapham Common socialist meeting.
First Steps in a Business Career
The fussy head of the postage department, who is anxious about work and quick to correct his subordinates.
The Other Man
The head of the postage department, who is flustered by Psmith's arrival and his elaborate, nonsensical explanations.
Psmith Explains
Mentioned as the head of the Postage Department; Psmith and Mike worry about his reaction to their extended absence.
VII: Going Into Winter Quarters
Confronts Psmith and Mike about their absence; surprisingly defends Psmith to Bickersdyke, earning Psmith's gratitude.
VIII: The Friendly Native
Head of the postage department; initially rebuffs Psmith's attempts at conversation but later engages over football.
The Haunting of Mr. Bickersdyke
Gradually won over by Psmith's football talk, leading to a truce in the Postage Department.
X: Mr. Bickersdyke Addresses His Constituents
Head of the Postage Department, reports to Mr. Bickersdyke that Psmith's work is perfect.
In a Nutshell
Briefly mentioned as being disrupted by Bickersdyke's anger and unable to discuss football with Psmith.
Mike Is Moved On
Mr. Rossiter becomes more agreeable under Psmith's influence, no longer reporting subordinates to the manager.
Mr. Waller Appears in a New Light
Mentioned as Psmith's colleague in the Postage Department, with whom he discusses Manchester United's defeat.
And Takes Steps
Rossiter appears briefly, prompting Psmith to return to his ledger.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Rossiter unlock in the free preview.

See Rossiter in First Steps in a Business Career

See Rossiter in Psmith in the City