The Financier · Character

Henry Worthington Cowperwood

A reliable, unbrilliant bank clerk who brings his son to the brokerage floor on Saturdays, he plants the seed of a financier without ever quite understanding what grows.

supporting

Also known as Henry Cowperwood, Henry, Mr. Cowperwood, old Cowperwood

First appearance: The Philadelphia into Which Frank Algernon Cowperwood Was Born

As a supporting figure in The Financier, Henry Worthington Cowperwood is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Frank's father, a bank clerk who becomes teller at Third National Bank; cautious, ambitious, and careful about social and financial appearances.

In the storyThe Philadelphia into Which Frank Algernon Cowperwood Was BornOpen this moment free

Henry Cowperwood is a trustworthy, sound-organization man, known to the Drexels and the Bank of the United States as a most reliable individual, and he rises steadily without ever being called brilliant. He is pleased by young Frank's fascination with discounts, collateral, and the British East India Company shares worth four times their face value, and he explains the machinery of money with patient pride. His quiet, respectable world is the baseline against which his son's spectacular and unscrupulous ascent—and eventual crash—will be measured.

See Henry Worthington Cowperwood in The Philadelphia into Which Frank Algernon Cowperwood Was Born Book page

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Character Web

27 connections

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Character groups

Extended cast and background figures
Minor family and clerks
Cowperwood's inner circle

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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In the story

Henry Worthington Cowperwood appears across 23 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Philadelphia into Which Frank Algernon Cowperwood Was Born
Frank's father, a bank clerk who becomes teller at Third National Bank; cautious, ambitious, and careful about social and financial appearances.
II
Frank's father, a reliable bank teller who educates his son about financial instruments and the workings of the banking world.
Chapter III
Frank's father, a bank teller, lends him money for the soap venture and supports his early business ambitions.
IV
Frank's father, who advises him on the importance of credit and is informed of Frank's bonus and salary increase.
Chapter VI
Henry Cowperwood, as cashier, hosts business associates at the new house and discusses streetcar investments with Alfred Semple.
VIII
Mentioned as likely to become vice-president of the Third National Bank, reflecting the family's rising status.
IX
Helps Frank with business suggestions.
The First Great Opportunity
Frank's father, whose bank is mentioned as a potential source for taking a portion of the state loan.
XII
Prospering due to his son's success; plans to build a house next to Frank's.
The Plan and the New Houses
Father of Frank; his house is also being built adjacent to Frank's, with shared features.
Chapter XXI
Cowperwood's father is referenced as the banker at whose bank Cowperwood plans to hypothecate stock.
XXII
Frank's father, initially nervous but grows bolder, using Third National Bank resources to support Frank's loans and speculations.
Chapter XXIII
Present at the initial scene; worried about his own financial involvement with his son.
XXIX
Cowperwood's father discusses the financial situation and the danger of hypothecated city loan certificates.
The Double Blow
Paces the floor in despair over Frank's financial collapse, seeing no hope.
XXXIV
Aged and broken by his son's disgrace, he resigns from the bank after thirty-five years of service.
Chapter XLIV
Accompanies Frank to jail, is very nervous during the verdict, and helps with arrangements for Frank's confinement.
Chapter L
Cowperwood's father is informed of the situation and helps with moving to smaller houses.
Chapter LI
Looks as though he has lost his last friend but tries to appear self-contained.
LII
Frank's father, present in court, bows his head to hide tears upon hearing the sentence.
LIV
Moves to a smaller house; loses his desk at the sheriff's sale; family adjusts to reduced circumstances.
LVI
Frank's father, now a broken man working a menial bank job; lives in shame and reads the Bible for consolation.
LIX
Aged and subdued, his social joy in life is gone; he awaits death, sustained financially but spiritually broken.

Chapter companion notes

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See Henry Worthington Cowperwood in The Philadelphia into Which Frank Algernon Cowperwood Was Born