Mr. Bartholomew is the school janitor. He never went to college because he fell in love with his wife and Billy's mother. When Billy's mother wanted to stay in Bear Creek and cut hair for a living. Mr. Bartholomew chose to forgo going to college and stay with the woman he loved.
Mr. Bartholomew is a very smart man. He acts as a guide for Eddie after Mr. Proffit and Billy die. When the book is banned from the classroom, Mr. Bartholomew also reads the book to students that are interested in it, but in secret in the school catacombs. When the school board finds out about his actions, he is fired.
Mr. Bartholomew continues to help Eddie fight against Tarter and the school board to keep the book from being officially banned.
