# Hamilton K. Fisker — The Way We Live Now character guide

> Hamilton K. Fisker in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Fisker, Mr. Fisker, Hamilton Fisker

**First appearance:** 0008-ix-the-great-railway-to-vera-cruz

## Snapshot

A gorgeously dressed American promoter who arrives in London with the great railway scheme, troubled by no shyness, no scruples, and no fears.

## Who they are

Fisker is the emissary of the Mexican railway, the man who brings the prospectus to Melmotte and draws Paul Montague into the firm of Fisker, Montague, and Montague. His mind is not capacious, but it is entirely his own, and he knows how to use it to flatter, snub, and keep a scheme moving. He embodies the transatlantic confidence that London cannot quite resist, and his partnership with Melmotte sets the financial plot in motion.

## In the story

### [Roger Carbury and Paul Montague](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/vi-roger-carbury-and-paul-montague)

Partner in Fisker, Montague, and Montague; Paul's financial stake is tied to the firm.

### [The Great Railway to Vera Cruz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/ix-the-great-railway-to-vera-cruz)

American partner who proposes the railway scheme; secures Melmotte's interest and becomes a director.

### [Mr. Fisker's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/x-mr-fisker-s-success)

Leaves London after a successful stay; delivers a fluent and florid speech at the farewell dinner, promoting the railway scheme.

### [Mrs. Hurtle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxvi-mrs-hurtle)

Mentioned as having warned Paul about Mrs. Hurtle's dangerous reputation in San Francisco.

### [Melmotte's Glory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxxv-melmotte-s-glory)

Credited with giving the impetus for Melmotte's railway scheme; described as audacious and ignorant.

### [Hamilton K. Fisker Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xcii-hamilton-k-fisker-again)

Arrives from San Francisco, dismisses Melmotte's failure as clumsy, plans to buy up railway shares, and visits Madame Melmotte and Marie at Hampstead.

### [Mrs. Hurtle's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xcvii-mrs-hurtle-s-fate)

Offers to take Mrs. Hurtle back to San Francisco; she plans to travel with him.

### [Marie Melmotte's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xcviii-marie-melmotte-s-fate)

Serves as Marie's devoted advisor, helping her secure her wealth and proposing marriage. He argues for a union to enhance their social standing in California, but Marie only agrees to a tentative engagement.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/hamilton_k_fisker
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters