# George W. Stener — The Financier character guide > George W. Stener in The Financier by Theodore Dreiser. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Stener, Mr. Stener, Treasurer Stener, George **First appearance:** 0002-iii ## Snapshot A stodgy, well-liked city treasurer with no ideas of his own, he becomes the pliable cog through which bigger men—and Cowperwood—move public money. ## Who they are Stener is a real-estate and insurance man of no particular gifts who is elevated to city treasurer because he is faithful, useful for drumming up votes, and utterly without ambition of his own. He is not a bad fellow; he is simply weak, a puppet in the hands of Butler, Mollenhauer, and Simpson, and it is precisely this weakness that makes him valuable to Cowperwood. Their partnership, built on Stener's willingness to sign what he does not fully understand, is the hinge on which the novel's central financial crime turns. ## In the story ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xiv) Stener, the new city treasurer, is depicted as a weak, mediocre man manipulated by political bosses. He seeks Cowperwood's help to sell a city loan, relying on him for financial guidance. ### [The Plan and the New Houses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xv) City treasurer who agrees to Cowperwood's scheme to use city loan certificates for market manipulation and speculation. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xvi) City treasurer who sets over city loan certificates to Cowperwood, netting a personal profit of $2,000. He is easily swayed and conspires with Strobik to use Cowperwood for street-railway schemes. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxi) Stener, now wealthy and well-dressed, visits Cowperwood to discuss the North Pennsylvania deal and is persuaded to consider future exclusive partnerships with Cowperwood. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxii) City treasurer who deposits nearly half a million dollars with Cowperwood and partners with him in purchasing the Seventeenth and Nineteenth Street line. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxiii) Absent from Philadelphia, out duck hunting; Cowperwood sends urgent wires for his return. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxiv) Stener is revealed to have loaned Cowperwood $500,000 of city money, making him a pawn in Cowperwood's schemes and a liability to the Republican party. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxv) Torn between fear of Mollenhauer and loyalty to Cowperwood; ultimately refuses the loan, leading to Cowperwood's impending failure. ### [The Fall of Stener](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxvii) Panicked city treasurer who begs Mollenhauer for help, offering all his assets to avoid jail. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxviii) Worried and distraught; refuses Cowperwood's request under pressure from Mollenhauer and others; pleads for return of $500,000; shows complete collapse of nerve. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxi) City treasurer whose involvement in the loan scheme is a key issue. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxii) Implicated alongside Cowperwood in the treasury shortfall; Mollenhauer reports Stener's refusal to lend more funds and Cowperwood's subsequent unauthorized action. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxiv) Depicted with a grayish-white face and blue lips; his guilt is considered undeniable. ### [The Trial Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xl) Present as a witness, pale and thin, without malice toward Cowperwood. He still hopes for political intervention. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xli) Key prosecution witness, testifies about his dealings with Cowperwood and the $60,000 check, appearing pale and nervous. ### [Chapter XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlii) Referenced as the ex-city treasurer and former associate of Cowperwood, who turned against him during the financial crisis. His testimony is contrasted with Cowperwood's account. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xliii) City treasurer and key witness, portrayed by the defense as an inexperienced man used by political forces, and by the prosecution as a victim of Cowperwood's manipulation. ### [Chapter XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xlvii) Persuaded by political friends to plead not guilty, he is convicted and awaits the Supreme Court appeal alongside Cowperwood. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lii) Sentenced to 4 years and 9 months for misapplication of public money. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/liii) Mentioned by Cowperwood as likely undergoing the same prison process; Cowperwood reflects on Stener's foolishness and his own different fate. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/liv) Receives special treatment in prison due to political connections; contrasted with Cowperwood's harsher conditions. ### [Chapter LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lv) Mentioned as receiving liberal treatment and visits from political friends, which motivates Bonhag to seek similar favors for Cowperwood. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lvii) Also pardoned after thirteen months; realizes his political and social career is over. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/lviii) Mentioned in the context of his modified life in prison, contrasted with Cowperwood's experience. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/george_stener - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters