# Robert Walton — Frankenstein character guide

> Robert Walton in Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Captain Walton, Walton

**First appearance:** 0005-letter-i

## Snapshot

An ambitious Arctic explorer who rescues a dying stranger from the ice and becomes the keeper of the strangest tale ever told.

## Who they are

Walton writes to his sister from the frozen north, burning with the same craving for glory that once drove his guest, and he recognizes the kinship immediately. He listens for a week, transcribing and even correcting Victor's narration so that no mutilated version goes down to posterity. His letters frame the novel and quietly warn the reader: the desire to exceed all previous human achievement is exactly where this story begins.

## Relationships

### [The Creature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/characters/the_creature)

_social_

Walton encounters the Creature at the end of the novel, hearing his story and witnessing his grief over Victor's death.

### [The Creature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/characters/the_creature)

_social_

Walton encounters the Creature at the end of the novel, hearing his story and witnessing his grief over Victor's death.

## In the story

### [Frankenstein Or, The Modern Prometheus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/frankenstein)

Captain of the Arctic expedition, writing letters to his sister.

### [Letter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/letter-i)

Walton writes to his sister, expressing his excitement and determination for his Arctic expedition, detailing his preparations and dreams of glory.

### [Letter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/letter-ii)

Walton expresses his loneliness and desire for a friend, details his crew selection, and shares his romantic enthusiasm for exploration.

### [Letter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/letter-iii)

Walton writes to his sister, expressing optimism and resolve as his voyage advances.

### [Letter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/letter-iv)

Walton continues his letters to Margaret, expressing his deep admiration for Victor and his eagerness to hear Victor's story.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/chapter-iv)

Victor addresses Walton directly, warning him of the dangers of knowledge.

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/chapter-xxiv)

Walton records Victor's final words, witnesses the Creature's farewell, and writes to Margaret of his sorrow and the scene's horror.

### [Walton, in Continuation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/chapters/walton-in-continuation)

Walton narrates the final events, expressing sorrow and disappointment, and decides to return to England.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/characters/robert_walton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/frankenstein_se/characters