# Henry A. Mollenhauer — The Financier character guide

> Henry A. Mollenhauer in The Financier by Theodore Dreiser.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mollenhauer, Henry Mollenhauer, Mr. Mollenhauer

**First appearance:** 0008-ix

## Snapshot

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

## Who they are

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?

## In the story

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxvii)

Grim political boss who manipulates Stener, aiming to seize his stock while avoiding scandal.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxi)

Political figure Cowperwood considers approaching for leniency.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxii)

Confirms Butler's claims about the missing certificates, though his own plan to pressure Cowperwood for street-railway shares is undermined.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Politely refuses Cowperwood's request for help, citing political pressures and the Reform Association.

### [Butler's Investigation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/chapters/xxxv)

Agrees to help Butler by having his wife invite Aileen and Norah to Europe.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters/henry_mollenhauer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_financier_se/characters