The Grand Babylon Hotel · Character

Sampson Levi

A Kaffir Circus financier whose lavish Gold Room ball Theodore Racksole nearly forbids, sensing something off about the name and the man behind it.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Sampson Levi, Mr. Levi, Levi

First appearance: Mr. Sampson Levi Bids Prince Eugen Good Morning

As a supporting figure in The Grand Babylon Hotel, Sampson Levi is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Hosts the ball in the Gold Room with his wife; Racksole considers canceling the event.

In the storyIn the Gold RoomOpen this moment free

See Sampson Levi in In the Gold Room Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Levi is a Stock Exchange speculator rich enough to hire out the Grand Babylon's Gold Room for a thousand guests, yet obscure enough that no one can tell Racksole who he really is. His opulent hospitality and his wife's diamonds mark him as exactly the sort of plutocrat Racksole itches to humble. That the ball proceeds at all — and that a hidden window overlooks it — quietly plants Levi in the novel's web of watchfulness and suspicion.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Sampson Levi sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Sampson Levi in Mr. Sampson Levi Bids Prince Eugen Good Morning

Character Web

10 connections

A slice of how Sampson Levi sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Hotel insiders and conspirators
Protagonist

+5 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Aribert directly…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Prince Aribert
rivalry · negative
Prince Aribert and Sampson Levi are adversaries, with Levi involved in schemes that… How this plays out →
Theodore Racksole
rivalry · negative
Prince Aribert
rivalry · negative
Prince Aribert and Sampson Levi are adversaries, with Levi involved in schemes that… How this plays out →
Theodore Racksole
rivalry · negative
Prince Aribert
rivalry · negative
Prince Aribert and Sampson Levi are adversaries, with Levi involved in schemes that… How this plays out →
Theodore Racksole
rivalry · negative

Prince Aribert
Prince Aribert and Sampson Levi are adversaries, with Levi involved in schemes that threaten the prince.
Theodore Racksole
Sampson Levi is a cunning antagonist who opposes Theodore Racksole in a battle of wits and power.
Prince Aribert
Prince Aribert and Sampson Levi are adversaries, with Levi involved in schemes that threaten the prince.
Theodore Racksole
Sampson Levi is a cunning antagonist who opposes Theodore Racksole in a battle of wits and power.
Prince Aribert
Prince Aribert and Sampson Levi are adversaries, with Levi involved in schemes that threaten the prince.
Theodore Racksole
Sampson Levi is a cunning antagonist who opposes Theodore Racksole in a battle of wits and power.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Sampson Levi in Mr. Sampson Levi Bids Prince Eugen Good Morning

In the story

Sampson Levi appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

In the Gold Room
Hosts the ball in the Gold Room with his wife; Racksole considers canceling the event.
The Court Pawnbroker
A wealthy stockbroker who confronts Racksole about a private detective at his ball and later discusses the disappearance of Prince Eugen.
Rocco and Room No. 111
Mentioned as having a conversation with Racksole about Continental politics and Dimmock's death.
The Woman with the Red Hat
Mentioned as the source of information about Prince Eugen's million-franc debt.
XIX: Royalty at the Grand Babylon
Announced at the end of the chapter as arriving for an audience with Prince Eugen.
Mr. Sampson Levi Bids Prince Eugen Good Morning
Refuses to lend the million, citing the broken arrangement.
The Return of Félix Babylon
Mentioned as having had an audience with Prince Eugen; Racksole speculates Levi declined to produce the required million.
The Confession of Mr. Tom Jackson
Mentioned as the person Prince Eugen was to meet; the plot aimed to prevent their interview.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Sampson Levi unlock in the free preview.

See Sampson Levi in Mr. Sampson Levi Bids Prince Eugen Good Morning

See Sampson Levi in In the Gold Room