# Frank Algernon Cowperwood — The Financier character guide > Frank Algernon Cowperwood in The Financier by Theodore Dreiser. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Frank, Frank Cowperwood, young Cowperwood, Mr. Cowperwood, Cowperwood **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A young Philadelphia broker with a poet's feel for gold and a predator's patience, he builds a fortune on street-railway stock and other men's weaknesses. ## Who they are Frank Cowperwood learns finance at his father's bank the way other boys learn scripture, and by his early twenties he is clearing six thousand a year in note brokerage while quietly buying into every new streetcar franchise he can reach. What makes him dangerous is not greed alone but appetite: he wants the inside of every deal and the woman he cannot have, and he treats both as problems of arrangement. His rise through Philadelphia's corrupt franchise politics sets the novel's engine in motion and makes his eventual collision with the men who made him inevitable. ## In the story ### [The Philadelphia into Which Frank Algernon Cowperwood Was Born](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/i) Introduced as a ten-year-old boy, curious, observant, and a natural leader; fascinated by the lobster-squid struggle, he concludes that life is organized by creatures preying on each other. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/ii) Shows early fascination with finance, learns about money and speculation from his father, and expresses ambition to become a broker or financier. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/iii) Shows early business savvy by buying and reselling soap at a profit; secures a position at Waterman & Co. through his uncle's influence. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/iv) Shows early signs of commercial acumen and ambition, quickly mastering the grain and commission business at Waterman & Co. and receiving a significant bonus. ### [A New Venture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/v) Decides to leave Waterman & Company for a brokerage position at Tighe & Company, demonstrating his ambition and financial acumen. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/vi) Now nineteen, Frank is established in his new home, meets Lillian Semple, and becomes fascinated by streetcar speculation and the stock exchange, where he refines his philosophy of finance. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/vii) Decides to leave brokerage for his own note-brokerage business; grows increasingly attracted to Mrs. Semple. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/viii) In love and financially secure, he aggressively courts Lillian Semple, using his determination and charm to overcome her objections. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/ix) Starts his note brokerage, invests in street railway stocks, and marries Lillian Semple. ### [The Financier's Domestic and Financial Expansion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/x) Reflects on his marriage, enjoys domestic life, expands his financial network, and remains detached from the Civil War's patriotic fervor. ### [The First Great Opportunity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xi) Seeking his first major financial opportunity during the Civil War; meets with Edward Butler to discuss a secret partnership in street railway stocks. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xii) Secures a million-dollar bond award, plans new house and office, reflects on ambition and luck. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xiii) Studies Aileen with analytical interest, appreciating her vitality and physical perfection; maintains a pragmatic, commercial perspective on the Civil War, viewing it as wasteful and detrimental to financial progress. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xiv) Cowperwood expands his brokerage firm, Cowperwood & Co., and begins a pivotal relationship with City Treasurer Stener, seeing a chance to profit from handling city loans. ### [The Plan and the New Houses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xv) Devises a manipulative financial plan with Stener; oversees completion of his new bank and houses; plans social entertaining to advance his position. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xvi) At 28-29, he masterfully manipulates city loan certificates, using them as collateral and engaging in 'pyramiding' and 'kiting.' He considers street-railway investments and dreams of controlling lines. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xvii) Growing closer to Aileen Butler; his new home is the site of the upcoming reception. ### [The Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xviii) Attends the ball as a host, but is drawn to Aileen. He finds her raw energy irresistible and initiates a flirtatious, probing conversation during their dance. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xix) Cowperwood philosophizes about force, egoism, and morality, deciding to pursue his passion for Aileen while maintaining his public facade. ### [The Blossoming of Illicit Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xx) Cowperwood orchestrates the affair with calculated caution, balancing his business ambitions with his desire for Aileen, and explaining the practicalities of illicit meetings. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxi) Cowperwood strategizes to acquire the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Street line using city money, advises Stener to bypass other politicians, and reflects on his financial morality as an opportunist. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxii) Executes numerous confidential financial deals, manipulates street-railway stocks, and expands his banking business to nearly two million dollars. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxiii) Desperately seeks financial support to avert ruin after the Chicago Fire, revealing his dealings with Stener to Butler. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxiv) Cowperwood is in a tight financial spot due to the Chicago fire, having used Stener's city funds to buy stocks. He has asked Butler to help rally bankers to support the market. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxv) Pleads with Stener for a loan of $300,000 to $350,000 to stave off failure during the panic; shows contempt for Stener's weakness. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxvi) Visits Butler to seek an extension on his loan, but perceives Butler's hostility and realizes the affair has been discovered. ### [The Fall of Stener](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxvii) Financier facing failure, attempts to secure more funds from Stener and uses risky transactions. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxviii) Arrives at Stener's office to demand an additional $300,000 loan; argues forcefully but fails to persuade Stener; leaves with a sense of impending doom but resolves to remain defiant. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxix) Cowperwood is at the center of the financial crisis, making final appeals and planning for failure while managing his affair with Aileen. ### [The Double Blow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxx) Faces financial ruin as his creditors force a suspension; remains defiant and hopeful of recovery. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxi) Struggles with the collapse of his banking empire and the threat of prison. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxii) Discussed as the central figure of the scandal; his unauthorized withdrawal of city funds and affair with Aileen make him a target for prosecution. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxiii) Seeks to negotiate with Mollenhauer to avoid prosecution, remains composed and defiant. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxiv) Remains calm and collected, refusing to turn state's evidence; he is formally charged and indicted for embezzlement. ### [Butler's Investigation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxv) The man Butler suspects of having an affair with Aileen; his bank has recently failed and he is involved in a city embezzlement case. ### [The Confrontation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxvi) Meets Aileen at the South Sixth Street house, discusses the risks of their affair and his legal troubles, and reassures her of his love. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxvii) Referenced as the object of Aileen's love and Butler's vengeance; his laissez-faire philosophy influences Aileen. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxviii) Provides Aileen with money and reassures her of his love; feels burdened but unwilling to give her up; hopes the crisis will blow over. ### [The Trial Approaches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxix) Awaiting trial, anxious about conviction, and reflecting on his strained marriage and affair with Aileen. ### [The Trial Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xl) Enters the courtroom jaunty and reserved, wearing a lavender tie with a green emerald. He observes the proceedings with keen interest and disdain for the law. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xli) The defendant, sitting at the table inside the jury-rail, maintains a steady demeanor as the prosecution outlines charges of larceny and embezzlement. ### [Chapter XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlii) Takes the stand in his own defense, presenting a calm and confident demeanor. He argues that his financial actions were justified by the panic and fire, and that he acted within his rights as a banker. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xliii) The defendant, a banker and financier charged with fraudulently taking $60,000 from the city treasury. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xliv) Arrives at Moyamensing Prison, maintains cool poise, arranges for minimal family visits, and sleeps soundly after the verdict. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlv) In jail, receives Aileen's message, arranges his business affairs, and awaits his release on a certificate of reasonable doubt. ### [Chapter XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlvi) Calmly faces Butler, defends his relationship with Aileen, and seeks to use the situation to his advantage. ### [Chapter XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlvii) Struggles to rehabilitate his business and reputation after the panic, forms a secret partnership with Wingate, and remains defiant despite legal and social pressures. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlviii) Resolves to go to jail rather than flee, determined to eventually overturn his conviction. ### [Chapter XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlix) Informs his wife of his lost appeal and impending prison sentence, maintaining a composed and determined demeanor. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/l) Cowperwood arranges his affairs, meets with financial allies, and comforts Aileen before his imprisonment. ### [Chapter LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/li) Says farewell to his family, shows affection to his children, and maintains a composed demeanor before departing for prison. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lii) Sentenced to 4 years and 3 months for larceny; remains composed and unmoved during sentencing. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/liii) Endures the dehumanizing prison intake process, maintains outward composure while inwardly grappling with his degradation and loss of freedom. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/liv) Sits gloomily in his cell, reflecting on his situation; discourages family visits; plans to work through Wingate; impresses Warden Desmas. ### [Chapter LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lv) Emotionally overwhelmed by Aileen's visit, he cries for the first time; later negotiates with Bonhag for prison privileges. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lvi) Imprisoned but adapting; plans to end his marriage with Lillian; remains ambitious and determined to rebuild his life. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lvii) Serves thirteen months in prison; accumulates money through Wingate; receives a pardon. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lviii) Released from prison after a surprise pardon; reflects on his imprisonment and plans his financial comeback. ### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lix) Seizes the panic of 1873 as an opportunity, shorts the market, and rebuilds his fortune to a million dollars. Decides to leave Philadelphia for the West. ### [The Magic Crystal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/the-magic-crystal) Foreseen as a master of a great railway system, builder of a priceless mansion, and patron of arts, but destined for disillusionment and a heart wearied by experience. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/frank_cowperwood - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters