# Philip Wickson — The Iron Heel character guide

> Philip Wickson in The Iron Heel by Jack London.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Wickson, Young Wickson, Mr. Wickson

**First appearance:** 0004-ii-challenges

## Who they are

A young industrialist's heir captured by revolutionists who decide, instead of killing him, to keep him and educate him in their ethics.

## Relationships

### [Ernest Everhard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/characters/ernest_everhard)

_rivalry_

Philip Wickson is a ruthless oligarch who represents the oppressive capitalist class Everhard fights against.

### [Biedenbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/characters/biedenbach)

_professional_

Biedenbach is likely a colleague or subordinate of Wickson within the capitalist oligarchy.

### [John Carlson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/characters/john_carlson)

_professional_

John Carlson is a subordinate or colleague of Wickson in the industrial oligarchy.

### [Ernest Everhard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/characters/ernest_everhard)

_rivalry_

Philip Wickson is a ruthless oligarch who represents the oppressive capitalist class Everhard fights against.

### [Ernest Everhard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/characters/ernest_everhard)

_rivalry_

Philip Wickson is a ruthless oligarch who represents the oppressive capitalist class Everhard fights against.

### [Biedenbach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/characters/biedenbach)

_professional_

Biedenbach is likely a colleague or subordinate of Wickson within the capitalist oligarchy.

## In the story

### [Slaves of the Machine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/iv-slaves-of-the-machine)

Mr. Wickson embodies the master ethic, believing he is a savior of society and justifying his actions as right.

### [The Philomaths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/v-the-philomaths)

Speaks at the end of the discussion, criticizing his own class for their weak arguments and pointing to Ernest as a serious threat.

### [VI: Adumbrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/vi-adumbrations)

Implied to be behind the pressure on President Wilcox and the bribe offered to Ernest.

### [X: The Vortex](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/x-the-vortex)

Referenced by Ernest as having been right about the coming Oligarchy.

### [XI: The Great Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/xi-the-great-adventure)

The oligarch who warns Cunningham on the ferry, offers to reinstate him in the university, and later engineers the theft of his stock and home. Represents the ruthless power of the Oligarchy.

### [XIII: The General Strike](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/xiii-the-general-strike)

Mentioned indirectly as part of the Oligarchy; the chapter discusses the Oligarchy's actions and treachery.

### [XVI: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/xvi-the-end)

Encountered by John Cunningham; offers help but is rebuffed when asked to return Cunningham's home and stock.

### [In the Shadow of Sonoma](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/xviii-in-the-shadow-of-sonoma)

Minor oligarch who owns the deer-park where Avis's refuge is located; his hunting lodge is a quarter mile away.

### [A Lost Oligarch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/xx-a-lost-oligarch)

Accidentally discovers the refuge; is converted to the Cause, falls in love with Anna Roylston, and becomes a valuable agent; dies in 1927.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/characters/philip_wickson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_iron_heel_se/characters