The Roman Hat Mystery · Character

Benjamin Morgan

A corpulent, well-connected attorney and friend of Monte Field, Morgan's evasive silence about the dead man draws the Inspector's patient, dinner-table pressure.

supporting

Also known as Morgan, Mr. Morgan, Ben Morgan

First appearance: part one i in which are introduced a theatre audience and a corpse

As a supporting figure in The Roman Hat Mystery, Benjamin Morgan is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Identified as Monte Field's former law partner; summoned for questioning.

In the storyIV: In Which Many Are Called and Two Are ChosenOpen this moment free

See Benjamin Morgan in IV: In Which Many Are Called and Two Are Chosen Book page

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

Morgan is a wealthy lawyer whose social standing and friendship with Field make him a natural person of interest, yet his guarded telephone manner and reluctance to leave his bridge game hint at something he'd rather not discuss. The Inspector courts him gently over dinner at Carlos', trading culinary pleasures for candor, and Morgan's gradual thaw suggests a man torn between loyalty and self-protection. His testimony about Field's world becomes one of the early hinges on which the investigation turns.

Continue beside the text

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

See Benjamin Morgan in part one i in which are introduced a theatre audience and a corpse

Character Web

22 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Primary suspects and investigators
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

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

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, the emotional peak occurs when Inspector Queen and Ellery are summoned to meet Franklin Ives-…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Ellery Queen
professional · ambivalent
Benjamin Morgan is a lawyer or legal figure who interacts frequently with Ellery during… How this plays out →
Richard Queen
professional · ambivalent
Monte Field
professional · ambivalent
Ellery Queen
professional · ambivalent
Benjamin Morgan is a lawyer or legal figure who interacts frequently with Ellery during… How this plays out →
Richard Queen
professional · ambivalent
Richard Queen
professional · ambivalent
Monte Field
professional · ambivalent
Ellery Queen
professional · ambivalent
Benjamin Morgan is a lawyer or legal figure who interacts frequently with Ellery during… How this plays out →
Monte Field
professional · ambivalent

Ellery Queen
Benjamin Morgan is a lawyer or legal figure who interacts frequently with Ellery during the investigation.
Richard Queen
Morgan interacts with Inspector Queen in an official capacity, likely as a legal advisor or witness.
Monte Field
Morgan and Field have a business or legal connection, possibly as attorney and client.
Ellery Queen
Benjamin Morgan is a lawyer or legal figure who interacts frequently with Ellery during the investigation.
Richard Queen
Morgan interacts with Inspector Queen in an official capacity, likely as a legal advisor or witness.
Richard Queen
Morgan interacts with Inspector Queen in an official capacity, likely as a legal advisor or witness.
Monte Field
Morgan and Field have a business or legal connection, possibly as attorney and client.
Ellery Queen
Benjamin Morgan is a lawyer or legal figure who interacts frequently with Ellery during the investigation.
Monte Field
Morgan and Field have a business or legal connection, possibly as attorney and client.

Relationship notes

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

See Benjamin Morgan in part one i in which are introduced a theatre audience and a corpse

In the story

Benjamin Morgan appears across 11 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Lexicon of Persons Connected with the Investigation
What do you make of him?
Explanation for the Map of the Roman Theatre
His seat is labeled on the map.
IV: In Which Many Are Called and Two Are Chosen
Identified as Monte Field's former law partner; summoned for questioning.
In Which Inspector Queen Conducts Some Legal Conversations
Former law partner of Monte Field; questioned about his past with Field and the complimentary ticket he received.
In Which the District Attorney Turns Biographer
Field's former partner, described as a solid and respectable lawyer who broke with Field after a violent quarrel at the Webster Club, during which he threatened Field's life.
In Which the Mysterious Mr. Michaels Appears
Field's former partner; Michaels confirms they did not mix socially and that Morgan visited the apartment only for urgent business.
In Which the Past Casts a Shadow
Former partner of Monte Field; provides key information about Field's criminal associates and the blackmail scheme.
In Which the Queens Go to the Theatre
Dines with the Queens and confesses his reason for visiting Field on the night of the murder.
In Which More Hats Grow
Mentioned as having informed the Queens about Field's blackmail activities.
XXII: —and Explains
Mentioned as a blackmail victim of Field, his story provided an early indication of motive.
Endnotes
Referred to as 'far from innocent' in a corrective note by Ellery Queen.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Benjamin Morgan unlock in the free preview.

See Benjamin Morgan in part one i in which are introduced a theatre audience and a corpse

See Benjamin Morgan in IV: In Which Many Are Called and Two Are Chosen