# Virgil Samms — First Lensman character guide > Virgil Samms in First Lensman by E. E. Smith. **Role:** 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 **First appearance:** 0001-first-lensman ## Snapshot The first human to wear the Arisian Lens, he stakes his life on a gamble that a handful of telepathic peacekeepers can outthink the pirates and politicians strangling civilization. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Jack Kinnison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/jack_kinnison) _professional_ Jack is Virgil's trusted right-hand man and protégé in the Galactic Patrol, sharing a deep mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Mentor of Arisia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/mentor_of_arisia) _psychological_ The Mentor is an ancient Arisian who guides and manipulates Virgil's development as the first Lensman. ### [George Olmstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/george_olmstead) _professional_ George is a loyal colleague and key operative in Virgil's early efforts to build the Galactic Patrol. ### [Senator Morgan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/senator_morgan) _rivalry_ Senator Morgan is a corrupt politician who actively opposes and conspires against Virgil's plans for the Patrol. ### [Herkimer Third](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/herkimer_third) _rivalry_ Herkimer Third is a cunning enemy agent working against Virgil and the Patrol. ### [Dronvire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/dronvire) _professional_ Dronvire is an alien ally who provides crucial technological and strategic support to Virgil. ### [Jill Samms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/jill_samms) _family_ Jill is Virgil's daughter, and they share a loving, protective father-daughter bond. ### [Virgilia Samms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/virgilia_samms) _family_ Virgilia is Virgil's wife, and they have a supportive and affectionate marriage. ### [Nels Bergenholm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/nels_bergenholm) _professional_ Nels Bergenholm is a brilliant scientist and inventor who works closely with Virgil on Patrol technology. ### [Roderick Kinnison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/roderick_kinnison) _professional_ Roderick Kinnison is a senior officer and trusted colleague of Virgil in the early Patrol. ### [Jack Kinnison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/jack_kinnison) _professional_ Jack is Virgil's trusted right-hand man and protégé in the Galactic Patrol, sharing a deep mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Jack Kinnison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/jack_kinnison) _professional_ Jack is Virgil's trusted right-hand man and protégé in the Galactic Patrol, sharing a deep mutual respect and loyalty. ## In the story ### [First Lensman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/first-lensman) Central figure in the chapter, leading the effort to create the Lens and organize the Patrol. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/i) His appearance signals the time for Arisia to engage Eddore openly. ### [Chapter II: The Arisian Solution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/ii) Solarian Councillor; decides to go to Arisia based on Bergenholm's conviction. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/iii) Receives the Lens from Mentor, learns of his daughter's abilities, and grapples with the immense responsibility of selecting the first Lensmen. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/iv) Discusses Lensman hunt and rejects bribe from Interstellar Spaceways. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/v) First Lensman, travels to Rigel Four to recruit a Rigellian Lensman; succeeds in finding Dronvire. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/vi) Target of the assassination plot; enters the ballroom and is later evacuated under heavy guard. ### [Chapter VII: The Cone of Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/vii) First Lensman, president of the Galactic Council, appoints Kinnison and assembles the Council. ### [Chapter VIII: The Interview and the Investigation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/viii) First Lensman; gives a major interview explaining the Lensmen's purpose; orchestrates the investigation and uses a disguise to infiltrate Senator Morgan's office. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/ix) Discusses piracy with Kinnison, then leads a dangerous leaf-harvesting mission on Trenco. ### [The Palainian Encounter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/x) First Lensman, struggles to understand Palainian psychology and attempts to recruit them for the Patrol. ### [Chapter XI: The Zabriskan Relay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xi) First Lensman; joins the scout to investigate the signal and coordinates the thionite investigation. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xii) First Lensman, infiltrates Cavenda using a converted scout-ship with a Diesel engine to avoid detection. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xiii) Discusses Murgatroyd, Towne, and the political strategy for the Galactic Patrol; proposes Kinnison as a public speaker; worries about his daughter Jill. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xv) Gives orders to release the women and congratulates Jack and Mase on the success of Operation Red Herring. ### [The Bennettan Arsenal and the Shadowing of Ossmen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xvii) Tours Bennett, observing its war fervor and giving speeches; participates in the surveillance operation against Ossmen. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xviii) Delivers a cold, logical broadcast revealing the Patrol's findings and formally charging the enemy with crimes; coordinates the Grand Rally strategy. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xix) Leads the negotiation with the Petrino fleet, uses the Lens to communicate with Corander, and persuades the Petrino officers to go to Arisia. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/xx) First Lensman; gives a Telenews interview accusing the Morgan machine of building the Black fleet and planning domination. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/chapters/epilogue) First Lensman; experiences a prophetic event at the barbershop, adopts a kitten named Thomas Aquinas. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters/virgil_samms - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/first_lensman_se/characters