All The King's Men Characters

A society lady in Burden’s Landing, Jack’s mother has been married several times, and she reveals, after Irwin’s death, that she was having an affair with Irwin, the product of which was Jack—that the “Scholarly Attorney” was not Jack’s biological father.

Willie’s driver, Sugar-Boy is largely responsible for piloting the black Cadillac at high speeds over the roads of Louisiana, with Jack and Willie in tow. He is a phenomenal driver, and deeply loyal to Willie.

Willie’s only son, Tom is a star football player for LSU who is injured and paralyzed during a botched football play. He later succumbs to his injuries in the hospital.

Tom’s girlfriend for a brief period of time, Sibyl becomes pregnant and believes Tom to be the father—Sibyl later gives birth, after Tom’s death, and Lucy Stark resolves to raise the child as her grandson, named Willie.

Another "old-guard" Burden’s Landing family, the Pattons are friends with Judge Irwin and bristle at the idea that Willie, whom they perceive to be an interloper, is running the state.

The state auditor while Willie is governor, Byram is caught by Willie attempting to make a bribe. Willie threatens to fire White but does not, thus keeping him “under his wing” and making sure that White no longer steps out of line.

State attorney general under Stark, Hugh Miller considers himself a “a man of principle,” and resigns his posting on hearing that Willie will not fire Byram despite his attempts at securing a bribe.

Husband of Annabelle and friend of Cass’s, Duncan kills himself upon learning that the two are having an affair, and leaves his marriage ring under his pillow as a sign of his knowledge that the affair is taking place.

Annabelle’s slave working in the Trice home, Phebe discovers the ring Duncan leaves under his pillow after killing himself—Annabelle, convinced Phebe knows about her affair, sells Phebe “downriver” to New Orleans. Cass attempts to find Phebe, but cannot, though he tracks her to nearby Paducah.

An indigent man taken in by the Scholarly Attorney, George is a former trapeze artist who now makes art out of bread he finds and chews into a kind of sculpture.

Irwin’s second wife, Mabel grew up in moneyed circumstances but lost this wealth after years of heavy spending—she married Irwin for money, not knowing that Irwin married her for the same reason. This prompted Irwin to accept American Power’s bribe.