I am seeking the name of a wealthy, highly successful, VIP-type
literary character, either male or female, who would most likely be
recognized by fairly well educated people.  This person would be
admired for his/her achievements -- not a Jay Gatsby, for example. 
The character could have worked himself/herself up the social and
economic ladder - but definitely not be a Becky Sharp -- could have
overcome adversity to reach the pinnacle of success, without leaving
skeletons in the closet, but we're not talking about Horatio Alger
either.
In the vast world of literature past and present, is there someone who
might fit such a description?
I would like to have this information by January 16.

Hello bgh:

Thanks for the fascinating question! I've spent some very enjoyable
time researching this question. I have found the following literary
characters that might fit the bill of what you are looking for. (I
have listed them in order of what I think most closely fits your
criteria - most fitting first.)

Character: Samuel Pickwick
Literary Work: The Pickwick Papers
Author: Charles Dickens
Details: The Larousse Dictionary of Literary Characters describes Mr.
Pickwick as "A retired merchant of considerable means, and General
Chairman of the Pickwick Club, whom he leads in their various travels
and adventures. Initially an eccentric, affable, but rather bumbling
old fellow who is the butt of jokes, he develops into a benevolent,
jolly, genial and much respected gentleman, albeit still prone to all
manner of bizarre misadventures."

Character: Captain Wentworth
Literary Work: Persuasion
Author: Jane Austen:
Details: Captain Wentworth started off as a simple sailor and worked
his way up to wealth and social status. His character was impecable.
For more details, see:
Jane Austen's `Persuasion' tops her `Sense and Sensibility
http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1996/apr/04-04-96/arts/janeausten.video.html

Character: Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks
Literary Work: Little Orphan Annie
Author: Harold Gray
Details: While Daddy Warbucks is a "comic book" character, he is still
widely recognized. For details on his history, see:
Warbucks, Oliver "Daddy”
http://www.forbes.com/2002/09/13/400fictional_4.html
Daddy's pre-Annie biography
http://www.liss.olm.net/loahp/warbucks.html

Character: Colonel Brandon
Literary Work: Sense and Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen
Details: A former military officer in India, Colonel Brandon has
considerable wealth as well as an impeachable character that has
overcome several personal tragedies.

Character: Horatio Hornblower
Literary Work: Hornblower Series
Author: C.S. Forester
Details: Starting off as a lowly sailor, Hornblower works his way
through the British Navy, garnering considerable fame and fortune.


Other Possibilities, but perhaps not as "ideal":

Character: Mr. Brownlow
Literary Work: Oliver Twist
Author: Charles Dickens

Character: David Copperfield
Literary Work: David Copperfield
Author: Charles Dickens

Character: Charles (and/or Edwin) Cheeryble
Literary Work: Nicholas Nickleby
Author: Charles Dickens

Character: Nick Charles
Literary Work: Thin Man Series
Author" Dashiell Hammett


I hope that one (or more) of these selections will satisfy your need.
If that is not the case, please let me know using the Clarification
Request feature and I will continue searching for you. Please let me
know more details about what you are looking for (if possible) such as
what is your reason for looking. This might give me further insight.

Thanks!

websearcher-ga


Search Strategy:

"famous literary characters" 
://www.google.ca/search?q=%22famous+literary+characters%22+&ie=ISO-8859-1&hl=en&meta=

famous "fictional characters" wealthy 
://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=famous+%22fictional+characters%22+wealthy+&meta=

fictional character wealthy important admired
://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=famous+%22fictional+characters%22+wealthy+&meta=

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Request for Answer Clarification by bgh-ga on 09 Jan 2003 06:31 PST

Very good.  Pleased with results so far.  Would like further research,
if you would continue.

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Clarification of Answer by websearcher-ga on 10 Jan 2003 09:25 PST

Just an update to let you know that I am continuing my research.
Further answers may take a few more days to compile.

Thanks for you patience.

websearcher-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by bgh-ga on 16 Jan 2003 04:27 PST

Received your answer.  Thanks.  However, I'd like more characters
selected fitting the description originally given.  Please research
further.  I thought there were too few characters listed to satisfy
the intent of my question.  If I am pleased with a fuller list, I will
add a tip.

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Clarification of Answer by websearcher-ga on 16 Jan 2003 06:31 PST

Hi bgh:

Thanks for your recent communication. I am indeed continuing to
research your question. However, the process has been a lot slower
than I anticipated. I have exhausted my web searching and have moved
on to reading through The Larousse Dictionary of Literary Characters -
which is at my local Library. Unfortunately, the book is reference
material which means I cannot check it out and must read it there. I
have not had a lot of time to do that recently, but am willing to
continue to do so when possible. I have so far gotten through A - G.

Thanks for your ongoing patience. 

websearcher-ga 

P.S. Unfortunately, it is not possible to add a tip to an answer after
you have rated it. However, what others have done in the past is open
a new question (at the desired amount) just to reward a Reseearcher.

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Clarification of Answer by websearcher-ga on 17 Jan 2003 14:19 PST

Hi bgh:

I went through letters I - L today and found two more candidates:

Character: Thomas Heartfree
Literary Work: The Life of Jonathan Wild the Great
Author: Henry Fielding
Details: http://www.blackmask.com/books55c/jonwild.htm

Character: George Heriot (a.k.a. Jinglin' Geordie)
Literary Work: The Fortunes of Nigel
Author: Sir Walter Scott
Details: From Larousse: "The wealthy Edinburgh goldsmith who followed
James I of England's court to London and later became one of his
native city's greatest benefactors. He is quiet, respectable and
obviously cultured, claiming friendship of some of the age's greatest
writers and artists. His vlaue to the crown affords him significant
access to the king and his opinion is highly valued."

I'll keep looking...though there certainly seem to be a lot more
disreputable characters in literature!!

websearcher-ga

You really can't go wrong with an Austen character. So I'll add to the
list. Mr. Knightly from "Emma." Well-born and rich to begin with, he
nonetheless is an admirable man with integrity and a sense of what a
landowner owes to the entire community.

Regards,
luciaphile-ga