# Mr. Greyson — Ragged Dick character guide

> Mr. Greyson in Ragged Dick by Horatio Alger Jr..

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0009-vii-the-pocketbook

## Snapshot

A wealthy merchant who invites two bootblacks to dinner at his brownstone, proving that real gentility is measured in kindness, not class.

## Who they are

Mr. Greyson is rich enough to dine with the Mayor, yet he treats Dick and Fosdick as guests rather than curiosities, putting them at ease in his elegant home. His daughter Ida's chatter flusters Dick into saying 'bully' at the dinner table, but Mr. Greyson only laughs good-humoredly. His trust and example give Dick a model of the gentleman he hopes to become.

## Relationships

### [Ragged Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/ragged_dick)

_social_

Mr. Greyson is Ida's grateful father who rewards Dick for rescuing his daughter from danger.

### [Ragged Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/ragged_dick)

_social_

Mr. Greyson is Ida's grateful father who rewards Dick for rescuing his daughter from danger.

### [Ragged Dick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/ragged_dick)

_social_

Mr. Greyson is Ida's grateful father who rewards Dick for rescuing his daughter from danger.

## In the story

### [I: Ragged Dick Is Introduced to the Reader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/i-ragged-dick-is-introduced-to-the-reader)

A gentleman who hires Dick for a shoe shine and tests his honesty by asking for change.

### [II: Johnny Nolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/ii-johnny-nolan)

Mentioned as a customer whose boots Dick polished earlier.

### [Dick Secures a Tutor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xv-dick-secures-a-tutor)

Commends Dick's honesty and invites him to attend Sunday school at his church.

### [XVI: The First Lesson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xvi-the-first-lesson)

Greets Dick and Fosdick at the church and provides them with seats.

### [Dick's First Appearance in Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xvii-dick-s-first-appearance-in-society)

Invites Dick and Henry to dinner and Sunday school, treats them kindly.

### [XIX: Fosdick Changes His Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/chapters/xix-fosdick-changes-his-business)

Enters the store opportunely and vouches for Fosdick as a member of his Sunday-school class, securing him the position.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters/mr_greyson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ragged_dick_se/characters