The Financier · Character

Henry A. Mollenhauer

A grim political boss who sees Cowperwood's collapse as an opportunity to seize street-railway stock and bury the scandal before election day.

supporting

Also known as Mollenhauer, Henry Mollenhauer, Mr. Mollenhauer

First appearance: ix

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

Mollenhauer, a cold and powerful political boss, visits Stener to pressure him into using a broker to bring new city loan certificates to par, as he holds many old city warrants.

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Mollenhauer is the kind of power broker who treats city government as a private treasury and every crisis as a chance to consolidate control. When Stener comes to him panicked over half a million in missing funds, Mollenhauer coolly calculates how to squeeze the treasurer, absorb his shares, and decide whether Cowperwood or Stener will bear the blame. His cold pragmatism shapes the novel's central question: in a city run by men like him, can anyone with ambition stay clean?

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See Henry A. Mollenhauer in ix

Character Web

37 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Cowperwood's inner circle
Extended cast and background figures

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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 A. Mollenhauer appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XIV
Mollenhauer, a cold and powerful political boss, visits Stener to pressure him into using a broker to bring new city loan certificates to par, as he holds many old city warrants.
Chapter XVI
Political boss who, along with Simpson and Butler, is interested in street-railways. He becomes aware of Cowperwood by reputation as the man handling city loan.
Chapter XXIV
Mollenhauer is a political rival of Butler and a key figure in the Republican party. Stener is more directly responsible to him than to Butler.
XXV
Schemes to frighten Stener into refusing Cowperwood aid, aiming to acquire Cowperwood's street-railway stock; sends secretary Sengstack to intercept Stener.
The Fall of Stener
Grim political boss who manipulates Stener, aiming to seize his stock while avoiding scandal.
XXVIII
Referenced as the political force who has warned Stener not to loan more money; Cowperwood accuses him of scheming to take over Stener's stocks.
XXXI
Political figure Cowperwood considers approaching for leniency.
XXXII
Confirms Butler's claims about the missing certificates, though his own plan to pressure Cowperwood for street-railway shares is undermined.
XXXIII
Politely refuses Cowperwood's request for help, citing political pressures and the Reform Association.
Butler's Investigation
Agrees to help Butler by having his wife invite Aileen and Norah to Europe.

Chapter companion notes

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See Henry A. Mollenhauer in ix

See Henry A. Mollenhauer in XIV