# Roderick Kinnison — First Lensman character guide

> Roderick Kinnison in First Lensman by E. E. Smith.

**Role:** 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

**First appearance:** 0004-iii

## Snapshot

Rod the Rock, a big Lensman with a bigger temper, commands the Patrol's muscle and hates being caught with his pants down by an enemy he cannot yet see.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Virgil Samms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/virgil_samms)

_professional_

Roderick Kinnison is a senior officer and trusted colleague of Virgil in the early Patrol.

### [Virgil Samms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/virgil_samms)

_professional_

Roderick Kinnison is a senior officer and trusted colleague of Virgil in the early Patrol.

### [Virgil Samms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/virgil_samms)

_professional_

Roderick Kinnison is a senior officer and trusted colleague of Virgil in the early Patrol.

## In the story

### [Chapter II: The Arisian Solution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/ii)

Commissioner of Public Safety; agrees to accompany Samms to Arisia.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/iii)

Samms perceives Kinnison's true mental giant stature via the Lens; they confer deeply about the selection of candidates.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/iv)

Debates with Samms about Lensman scarcity and political maneuvering.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/vi)

Takes charge of the security operation, orders weapon changes, and coordinates the protection of Samms.

### [Chapter VII: The Cone of Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/vii)

Port Admiral, chooses Operation Affick, leads the battle, and issues promotions.

### [Chapter VIII: The Interview and the Investigation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/viii)

Port Admiral; participates in the interview, declaring he suspects everyone; begins a comprehensive program of investigation and rebuilding.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/ix)

Reports on Operation Boskone and the hidden fleet, and reveals Project Bennett.

### [Chapter XI: The Zabriskan Relay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xi)

Communicates with Samms via Lens; advises against a globe of scouts and reports on Operation Bennett.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xii)

Commands the Patrol trap, coordinating the attack on pirate superdreadnaughts.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xiii)

Debates the hierarchy of Morgan, Towne, and Isaacson; threatens drastic action if Morgan abrogates the treaty; agrees to run for office.

### [The Bennettan Arsenal and the Shadowing of Ossmen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xvii)

Accompanies Samms on Bennett and coordinates the shadowing of Ossmen from the Chicago.

### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xviii)

Mentioned as the candidate for president; his character is praised by Samms as honest, incorruptible, and fearless.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xix)

Port Admiral who joins Samms in the Boise's con room and later disappears from the Rally to command the Chicago.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xx)

Present at the Cosmocrat headquarters all day; referred to as 'rock-headed' by Morgan.

### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/epilogue)

Port Admiral; accompanies Samms, gets a haircut, and discusses their grandsons.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/roderick_kinnison
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters