The Iron Heel · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Iron Heel by Jack London.
Skim names here — open a free preview to see character cards and Character Web beside the page as you read.
Ernest Everhard
major
Also known as Ernest, Everhard, Mr. Everhard
A horseshoer turned revolutionary whose quiet, almost stolid bearing conceals a mind that dismantles the Oligarchy's logic in public debate.
Avis Everhard
major
Also known as Avis, the old Avis Everhard
A professor's daughter who trades university-town comfort for four rooms in a San Francisco slum and a life inside the Revolution's storm.
Bishop Morehouse
supporting
Also known as Bishop, the Bishop, Bishop Morehouse
A clergyman whose Christian conscience collides with the Oligarchy's demands, forcing him to choose between his pulpit and his principles.
Jackson
supporting
A meek mill hand whose arm is chewed off by machinery just before whistle-blow, and whose lost damage suit becomes a quiet indictment.
Colonel Van Gilbert
supporting
Also known as the great Colonel Van Gilbert
The nation's most celebrated corporation lawyer, whose polished irony and half-million-dollar fees make him the Oligarchy's velvet glove.
Philip Wickson
supporting
Also known as Wickson, Young Wickson, Mr. Wickson
A young industrialist's heir captured by revolutionists who decide, instead of killing him, to keep him and educate him in their ethics.
Colonel Ingram
minor
A military officer and member of the oligarchic class.
Mr. Calvin
minor
Also known as a Mr. Calvin
A businessman and member of the Philomaths club.
Dr. Hammerfield
minor
A scientist and intellectual who debates with Ernest.
Biedenbach
minor
Also known as Comrade Biedenbach, the Biedenbach
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
John Carlson
minor
Also known as Carlson
A working-class man and socialist supporter.
Peter Donnelly
minor
Also known as Donnelly
A labor leader and socialist organizer.
Garthwaite
minor
A member of the Philomaths club.
Mr. Asmunsen
minor
A businessman and member of the Philomaths.
Hartman
minor
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Miss Brentwood
minor
A young woman who attends the Philomaths meeting.
Mr. Kowalt
minor
Also known as Kowalt
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Mary McKenna
minor
Also known as Mary
A working-class woman and socialist supporter.
Anna Roylston
minor
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Owen
minor
Also known as Mr. Owen
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Rudolph Mendenhall
minor
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Arthur Simpson
minor
Also known as Simpson
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Timothy Donnelly
minor
Also known as Timothy, Donnelly
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
John Cunningham
minor
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Mrs. Wickson
minor
The wife of Philip Wickson.
Mrs. Pertonwaithe
minor
A society woman who attends the Philomaths meeting.
O'Connor
minor
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Wilcox
minor
Also known as old Wilcox, President Wilcox
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Percy Layton
minor
A young man from a wealthy family.
Pervaise
minor
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Knowlton
minor
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
George Milford
minor
Also known as Milford
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Dr. Ballingford
minor
A doctor and member of the Philomaths.
Comrade Galvin
minor
Also known as Dr. Galvin, Galvin
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
James Smith
minor
Also known as Smith
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Albert Pocock
minor
Also known as Pocock 89, Pocock
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Farley
minor
Also known as Farley 84
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Lewis Pocock
minor
Also known as The elder Pocock, Pocock I
A socialist comrade and associate of Ernest.
Felice Van Verdighan
minor
A society woman who attends the Philomaths meeting.
Judge Caldwell
minor
A judge and member of the oligarchy.
