All of the characters were real people except for Nathan, Whirling, Eleanor, and Catherine. The events were real, although not of such a major nature to keep this from being a character-driven story. Nathan was the supposed hero, who stuck to his democratic leanings, resisted pressure to become wealthy, cool-headedly staved off several crises, and worked hard like a common man. But he was also a rake who slept with, or tried to, with pretty much every girl he knew. So far as the story goes, I was glad he chose Catherine in the end because she was by far the most interesting character.