Whitford Sanborn Character Analysis in The Fountainhead

Sanborn is a former client of Henry Cameron’s, and asks Cameron for recommendations when he wants to build a country house. Cameron points him to Roark. While Sanborn likes Roark’s work, the situation is complicated by Sanborn’s wife, who wants the house to look like a French chateau. Roark refuses to design a chateau for her, and Sanborn is stuck between Roark and his wife. Ultimately, after the house is built, it is abandoned because Mrs. Sanborn refuses to live in it.

Whitford Sanborn Character Timeline in The Fountainhead

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

...Roark is buried in work for the department store. He receives another commission from Whitford Sanborn, who owns an office building designed by Cameron and now wants to build a house... (full context)

But during the construction, Mrs. Sanborn demands several small changes—additional cupboards, a different kind of staircase—that raise the construction costs. Roark... (full context)

...he is asked to submit drawings for the new building of the Manhattan Bank Company. Sanborn’s son (who loves the house) has recommended him, but the board still has to decide. (full context)