Daniel Burnham- Burnham is a very skilled and prideful man who, while a talented architect himself, has more of the business and people skills when compared with his partner John Root. This makes them a dynamic duo whose strengths and weaknesses balance well with each other. From an early age, Burnham was taught the value of public service, which he transferred into becoming an architect – a very public-driven occupation. In the book, it states that “Daniel Hudson Burnham was born… into a family devoted to… obedience, self-subordination, and public service” (19).

Frederick Olmsted – Olmsted, hired by Burnham and Root to help design the fair, is a distinguished landscape architect who hopes to validate his profession through his work on the fair. Throughout the book, he suffers from melancholy and depression, largely due to the underwhelming response of people towards his work. Olmsted’s greatest value, I believe, is receiving the recognition he believes he is entitled to. In the book, it states that “It irked him that few people seemed to understand the effects he worked so long and hard to create” (50). Olmsted only agrees to work with Burnham and Root because “Ellsworth assured Olmsted that by agreeing to help, he would be joining his name to one of the greatest artistic undertakings of the century” (49).

H.H. Holmes – I believe that Holmes’ greatest value is status. Throughout the novel, Holmes can be seen controlling people’s actions through his charm and good looks, showing his value of power over others. He desires to be seen as wealthy and powerful. As the book says, “He walked with confidence and dressed well, conjuring an impression of wealth and achievement” (35).