Character name origins

Many characters in the Arthur series and books have "names originated from something or someone else. 

Confirmed

 * Nigel Ratburn - named after Gary Rathbun, Marc Brown's 7th grade algebra teacher
 * Ms. Bryan - named after Nancy Bryan, Marc Brown's high school art teacher
 * Ms. Krasny - named after Marc Brown's wife, Laurie Krasny Brown's maiden name
 * Thora Read - named after Thora Brown, Marc Brown's grandmother

Speculated

 * Mr. Fallon (mentioned only) - possibly named after Joe Fallon, a writer on Arthur
 * Mr. Scarborough (mentioned only) - possibly named after Ken Scarborough, a writer on Arthur.
 * Sam Scarborough - possibly named after Ken Scarborough, a writer on Arthur

Characters Named After Things

 * Fur Elise - named after "Fur Elise," a song by Ludwig Van Beethoven.