Ralston Holcombe Character Analysis in The Fountainhead

Ralston Holcombe, a huge fan of the Renaissance style of architecture, considers himself a genius and is the president of the Architects’ Guild of America. He insists that one should never put “originality over Beauty.” He testifies against Roark at the Stoddard trial, insisting on the temple’s poor quality since it wasn’t built in the Renaissance style. After Toohey’s ideas come into fashion and everyone designs buildings in a “collective spirit” in the “modern style,” even Holcombe is forced to forget the Renaissance and emulate their style. While Holcombe is part of the old guard of untalented and vain architects, Rand implies that the new socialist-minded architects are much more toxic because they insist on completely erasing the individual.

Ralston Holcombe Character Timeline in The Fountainhead

The timeline below shows where the character Ralston Holcombe appears in The Fountainhead. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Ralston Holcombe, president of the Architects’ Guild of America (the A.G.A.), believes that one should not put... (full context)

...she also likes to be unpredictable, which is why she praised the horrible capitol that Holcombe designed. They talk about Toohey, and Dominique calls him “wonderful” and the “perfect black-guard” in... (full context)

...constructions, and is mocked in the club rooms of the A.G.A. by architects like Ralston Holcombe and Guy Francon, who call it a “modernistic stunt” and a “disgrace to the country.”... (full context)

Keating is uncertain about his final sketch. He knows Holcombe is on the jury, so he’s made the building look like a tall Renaissance palace—a... (full context)

...& Keating.” At the celebratory dinner, there is “a grave feeling of brotherhood,” and Ralston Holcombe toasts him with sincerity, talking of the old guard of architecture humbly making way for... (full context)

...his final decision. Later, Heller asks Roark to go with him to a party Kiki Holcombe is hosting because Sutton will be there, and Heller wants Roark to get the project.... (full context)

When Heller and Roark walk in, Kiki Holcombe welcomes them while deciding that she doesn’t like Roark’s face and his “insolence.” When he... (full context)

...is “almost as good as the Cosmo-Slotnick Building” and that he’ll soon be “another Ralston Holcombe.” Roark finds these comments to be “more offensive than hostility.” Dominique watches him speaking to... (full context)

When Kiki Holcombe asks Dominique what she thinks of Roark, Dominique says she finds him “revolting” but also... (full context)

The trial continues for three more days, with several witnesses—including Ralston Holcombe, Gordon L. Prescott and John Erik Snyte—testifying for the plaintiff, and Roark has no questions... (full context)

...called Stoneridge, but he hasn’t yet picked an architect. He refused a call from Ralston Holcombe that morning, knowing that he wanted the job. Wynand spoke to Alvah Scarret and told... (full context)