First Lensman · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in First Lensman by E. E. Smith.
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Virgil Samms
major
Also known as First Lensman Samms, Virge, Samms, the Lensman, Virgil, The big Lensman, First Lensman, Solarian Councillor Virgil Samms, Councillor Samms, Solarian Councillor Samms, Mr. Samms, Samms of Tellus, First Lensman Samms, First Lensman Virgil Samms, SammsвАЩ
Samms is the newly minted First Lensman, founder of the Galactic Patrol, and the one mind Arisia judged strong enough to carry the Lens's crushing load of authority. He is a widower who thinks in probabilities and cold correlations, yet he keeps walking into rooms where assassins wait, because the work cannot be delegated. His hunt for Lensman-grade minds across the solar systems drives the Patrol's fragile, jealous birth.
Jack Kinnison
supporting
Also known as young Kinnison, вАШKillerвАЩ Kinnison, Jack, Kinnison, the lounging Kinnison, the elder Kinnison, Pops Kinnison, Battling Jack, Master Pilot John K. Kinnison, Mr. Kinnison, John K. Kinnison, John Kinnison
Kinnison is the elder Kinnison of the Patrol's inner circle, a rough-edged operator whose loyalty to Samms is absolute and whose instinct is to shield rather than scheme. He fights Samms's riskier gambits—like the Olmstead substitution—with blunt protest, because he has promised the Universe he will keep his friend alive. His stubborn caution gives the Patrol's early operations their spine and their friction.
Jill Samms
supporting
Also known as Samms p√ ® re, вАШKillerвАЩ Samms, Jill, Samms, Lensless Jill, Miss Samms
Jill Samms moves through high society as the First Lensman's daughter, but her real weapon is an exquisite tactile sensitivity that lets her read intent through a partner's skin. Dancing with a suspect, she pieces together the grim shape of an assassination while hiding her own pounding heart behind artless chatter. Lensless but Lensman-grade, she is the Patrol's quiet edge in the war against the drug and political rings.
George Olmstead
supporting
Also known as George, Olmstead, this Olmstead, вАЭ George, Fourth Officer Olmstead, Lensman Olmstead
Olmstead arrives with brown hair, a wig-maker's dream of a wig, and a specialty in disappearing—photos, fingerprints, and records all quietly erased. A widower like Samms, he accepts the Lens and the substitution that will let the real First Lensman vanish into undercover work. His willingness to become another man makes him the Patrol's most dangerous and least visible asset.
Roderick Kinnison
major
Also known as Rod the Rock, Kinnison, Rod, Roderick K. Kinnison, Rod the Rock Kinnison, Rod the Rock ’ Kinnison, Rod Kinnison, Rod ’ Kinnison, Commissioner Roderick K. Kinnison, Commissioner Kinnison, Commissioner, Port Admiral Kinnison, Port Admiral, Rocky Kinnison, First Lensman Samms‚ÅÝ‚ÄîRoderick Kinnison
Kinnison is Samms's closest friend and bluntest critic, a commander who barks orders across Lens-link and prowls rooms with cigars when the trail goes cold. When an ambush nearly kills Samms, his fury is aimed mostly at himself for standing by like an innocent three-year-old. His instinct to fortify and counterstrike gives the young Patrol its teeth while Samms does the thinking.
Senator Morgan
supporting
Also known as Morgan, Rabble - Rouser Morgan, Pirate Chief Morgan, Chief!вАЭ Morgan
Morgan chairs the North American Senate's Pernicious Activities Committee, which makes him the political tip of an iceberg that runs through Towne-Morgan, Mackenzie Power, Ossmen Industries, and Interstellar Spaceways. Samms and Kinnison know he is only one of thousands of entrenched interests who will fight the Galactic Patrol before it can get its space-legs. He is the reason the Patrol's founders must find a Lensman smooth and tough enough to survive politics itself.
George Washington Jones
supporting
Also known as Mr. George Washington Jones, Jones, young Jones, the putative Jones, Mr. George W. Jones, Mr. Jones, Costigan - Jones, Eight—George W. Jones, Assistant Works Manager Jones
A chunky, sullen undercover operative who talks his way into a mining job on Eridan, where every ounce of his disguised strength is meant to be put to use.
Herkimer Third
supporting
Also known as Herkimer Herkimer Third, Herkimer, Herkimer Herkimer
A wealthy, eccentric industrialist whose money and oddities help bankroll the Patrol's earliest work, though his motives stay as hard to read as his habits.
Mase Northrop
supporting
Also known as Mase, Northrop, вАЭ Northrop, Mase Northrop, young Northrop, Mason Northrop, Mason M. Northrop, Zabriskan fontema Mase
A young Lensman and master electronicist who jokes his way through a cramped scout ship, all while hunting the first real traces of a hidden enemy.
The Palainian
supporting
Also known as Samms the Palainian, Samms, The Palainian
A Lensman from a world so alien that human minds can barely hold its thoughts, whose strangeness becomes one of the Patrol's most valuable assets.
Mentor of Arisia
supporting
Also known as Mentor, Arisia, Mentor of Arisia
The ancient Arisian who offers humanity the Lens, asking nothing and warning that the gift will weigh more than any wearer can yet imagine.
Nels Bergenholm
supporting
Also known as Dr. Nels Bergenholm, Bergenholm, a Bergenholm, Doctor Bergenholm, вАЭ Bergenholm, the Bergenholm, Dr. Bergenholm, Dr. ¬†Nels Bergenholm, Tellus, Bergenholm of Tellus
The brilliant scientist whose inertialess drive remade interstellar travel, and whose quiet certainty makes him the man others trust with impossible plans.
Gharlane of Eddore
supporting
Also known as Gharlane, Eddore, Gharlane of Eddore, Gharlane - Roger
An Eddorian agent of vast and patient malice, he survives an Arisian strike meant to end him, becoming proof that his ancient race still underestimates its enemies.
Conway Costigan
supporting
Also known as Costigan, Lensman, a Lensman, Lensman Conway Costigan, XVIII Conway Costigan, XV Costigan, Clio, Clio Costigan
A Lensman who rides the ether-lanes unseen, observing and reporting while the Patrol's enemies move contraband and conspiracy through the dark between worlds.
Virgilia Samms
supporting
Also known as Virgilia, Samms
Virgil Samms's daughter, a dazzling muscle-reader who dances through parties reading murder in the bodies of men who think they are merely flirting.
Dronvire
supporting
Also known as Rigel Four, Dronvire, Lensman Dronvire of Rigel Four, Rigel
A Rigellian Lensman whose alien mind outmatches human analysts, he stands at Samms's shoulder turning scattered clues into patterns the Patrol can act on.
Alexander Clayton
supporting
Also known as Clayton, Admiral Clayton, Commodore Clayton, Alex, Two - Star Commodore Alexander Clayton
A two-star commodore and early believer in the Lens, he lends the fledgling Patrol the weight of rank and the loyalty of a man who has seen what is coming.
Ossmen
minor
Also known as Ossmen, the Venerian, Ossmen the Venerian
Venerian Lensman and alien ally.
Isaacson
minor
Also known as Secretary of Drugs Isaacson, Isaacson, Mr. Isaacson, Isaacson, Mr. Isaacson
Government official involved in early Patrol politics.
Knobos
minor
Also known as Knobos, Mr. Knobos
Alien delegate and early contact for the Patrol.
DalNalten
minor
Also known as DalNalten, Dr. DalNalten, Neither DalNalten, DalNalten the Venerian, Venerian
Venerian scientist and ally.
Lyman Cleveland
minor
Also known as Cleveland, Lyman Cleveland, Lyman
Scientist and early Patrol member.
Rularion
minor
Also known as Rularion
Alien entity.
Hazel DeForce
minor
Also known as Hellcat Hazel ’ DeForce, Hellcat Hazel DeForce, Hazel
Tough female space pilot and ally.
Captain Willoughby
minor
Also known as Captain Willoughby, Willoughby
Spaceship captain serving the Patrol.
May Molly
minor
Also known as May, Molly, redheaded May, Molly—I
Waitress and love interest of a Patrolman.
Captain Winfield
minor
Also known as Winfield, Captain Winfield
Naval captain involved in early Patrol missions.
Chief Engineer Stanley
minor
Also known as Chief, Stanley, Chief Engineer Stanley
Engineer on Patrol vessels.
Spud
minor
Also known as Spud, Spud darling
Nickname for a young Patrol recruit.
Mrs. Costigan
minor
Also known as Mrs. Costigan, Costigan
Mother of Conway Costigan.
Mr. Clancy
minor
Also known as Mr. Clancy, Clancy
Minor government functionary.
President Witherspoon
minor
Also known as President Witherspoon, Witherspoon, this spineless nincompoop Witherspoon
Ineffectual planetary president.
Murgatroyd
minor
Also known as Murgatroyd
Pet or minor character.
Tworn
minor
Also known as Tworn
Alien character with brief role.
Vice Admiral Corander
minor
Also known as Vice - Admiral Corander, Corander, Corander of Petrine, Petrine
Naval officer from Petrine.
Drounli
minor
Also known as Drounli the Molder, Drounli
Alien molder character.
Mr. Birkenfeld
minor
Also known as Mr. Birkenfeld, this Birkenfeld, Birkenfeld
Minor official or businessman.
Fred Rodebush
minor
Also known as Rodebush, Fred Rodebush, Fred
Scientist working with Bergenholm.
Sid Fletcher
minor
Also known as Sid Fletcher, Sid, Fletcher
Patrol pilot.
Gray Roger
minor
Also known as Gray Roger, Roger
Minor antagonist or alias.
Big Jim Towne
minor
Also known as Jim, Big Jim Towne, Towne, James F. Towne
Patrolman and friend of Kinnison.
Dr. Whitworth
minor
Also known as Dr. Whitworth, Whitworth
Medical doctor for the Patrol.
Thomas Aquinas
minor
Also known as Thomas, Tom, Thomas Aquinas
Historical figure referenced in context.
Ray Olmstead
minor
Also known as Ray Olmstead, Ray, Raymond
Relative of George Olmstead.
Schweikert
minor
Also known as Schweikert
Minor character, possibly a technician.
Fairchild
minor
Also known as Fairchild
Minor Patrol officer.
Mr. Black
minor
Also known as Mr. Black, The Black
Minor character, possibly an alias.
Eddie Ned
minor
Also known as Eddie, Ned
Minor crew member.
Parker
minor
Also known as Parker
Minor Patrolman.
Randolph
minor
Also known as Randolph, Rand
Minor officer.
Adlington
minor
Also known as Adlington
Minor character.
Brainerd
minor
Also known as Brainerd
Minor scientist.
Norma
minor
Also known as Norma
Minor female character.
Pilinipsi
minor
Also known as Twelfth Pilinipsi, Pilinipsi
Alien character.
Enphilisor
minor
Also known as Enphilisor
Alien or abstract entity.
Tallick
minor
Also known as Tallick, even Tallick—even Tallick
Alien character.
