# Professor Otto Liedenbrock — Journey to the Center of the Earth character guide

> Professor Otto Liedenbrock in Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Professor Liedenbrock, uncle Liedenbrock, the Professor, Liedenbrock, Otto Liedenbrock, M. Liedenbrock, Herr Liedenbrock, Uncle Liedenbrock

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-professor-and-his-family

## Who they are

An imperious geologist who treats a runic cipher as a summons, dragging his nephew and a silent Icelander toward a crater he believes leads to the planet's core.

## In the story

### [The Professor and His Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/i-the-professor-and-his-family)

The impatient and brilliant professor of mineralogy at the Johannæum, known for his deep learning and irascible temperament.

### [A Mystery to Be Solved at Any Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/ii-a-mystery-to-be-solved-at-any-price)

Intensely focused on the Runic manuscript and the mysterious parchment, he ignores dinner to decipher the cryptic characters.

### [III: The Runic Writing Exercises the Professor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/iii-the-runic-writing-exercises-the-professor)

Dictates the cryptogram, analyzes the parchment, identifies Saknussemm, and attempts to decode the cipher with logical methods.

### [The Enemy to Be Starved Into Submission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/iv-the-enemy-to-be-starved-into-submission)

The Professor returns home and imposes a fast on the household until the cipher is solved, showing his tyrannical determination.

### [Famine, Then Victory, Followed by Dismay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/v-famine-then-victory-followed-by-dismay)

The Professor is consumed by the cryptogram, works through the night, and upon decoding it, becomes ecstatic and immediately plans the expedition to the center of the Earth.

### [Exciting Discussions About an Unparalleled Enterprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/vi-exciting-discussions-about-an-unparalleled-enterprise)

The Professor is determined and enthusiastic, systematically dismantling Axel's objections with geographical and historical evidence, and insisting on secrecy.

### [VII: A Woman’s Courage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/vii-a-woman-s-courage)

The Professor is impatient and consumed with preparations, shouting orders and packing supplies. He is determined to depart for Iceland without delay.

### [VIII: Serious Preparations for Vertical Descent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/viii-serious-preparations-for-vertical-descent)

Energetic and impatient, arranges passage on the Valkyria, secures introductions, and compels Axel to undergo vertigo training by climbing the spire repeatedly.

### [IX: Iceland! But What Next?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/ix-iceland-but-what-next)

Suffers from seasickness during the voyage; upon arrival, eagerly points out Snæfells and meets with local officials.

### [X: Interesting Conversations with Icelandic Savants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/x-interesting-conversations-with-icelandic-savants)

Dines with M. Fridrikssen, feigns modesty about his plans, and learns that Saknussemm's works were burned and that a guide will be available.

### [XI: A Guide Found to the Centre of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xi-a-guide-found-to-the-centre-of-the-earth)

Hires Hans Bjelke as guide; arranges the expedition details; talks incessantly at dinner; insists on bringing extensive equipment.

### [A Barren Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xii-a-barren-land)

The Professor rides a small pony, expresses impatience, and is thrown off when his horse refuses to enter the fjord.

### [XIII: Hospitality Under the Arctic Circle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xiii-hospitality-under-the-arctic-circle)

Persists tirelessly on the journey, hits his head on low beams in the house, and defies the Snæfells volcano as a giant to conquer.

### [But Arctics Can Be Inhospitable, Too](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xiv-but-arctics-can-be-inhospitable-too)

The Professor is determined and scientifically confident. He dismisses Axel's fears by explaining volcanic steam behavior, and he pays the rector's exorbitant bill without complaint, focused solely on the expedition.

### [XV: Snæfells at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xv-sn-fells-at-last)

Impatient to ascend, supports Axel during the climb, and consults Hans about the mistour.

### [XVI: Boldly Down the Crater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xvi-boldly-down-the-crater)

Eagerly identifies Scartaris, discovers the Runic inscription of Saknussemm, and grows impatient waiting for the shadow to appear.

### [Vertical Descent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xvii-vertical-descent)

Leads the descent with confidence; devises the rope system; continues geological theorizing about volcanic formations and central heat.

### [XVIII: The Wonders of Terrestrial Depths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xviii-the-wonders-of-terrestrial-depths)

The Professor enthusiastically leads the descent, takes scientific measurements, and calculates their depth at 10,000 feet below sea level.

### [XIX: Geological Studies In Situ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xix-geological-studies-in-situ)

The Professor stubbornly leads the group through the eastern tunnel, ignoring signs of a wrong path and dismissing Axel's concerns.

### [The First Signs of Distress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xx-the-first-signs-of-distress)

The Professor remains determined and impatient, insisting on pressing forward despite the water shortage and dead end.

### [Compassion Fuses the Professor’s Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxi-compassion-fuses-the-professor-s-heart)

The Professor shows rare tenderness by saving his last water for Axel. He then hardens into his usual stubborn resolve, refusing to turn back and proposing a final day of exploration in the western tunnel.

### [XXII: Total Failure of Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxii-total-failure-of-water)

The Professor stubbornly continues the descent despite the lack of water, and mutters 'It's all over!' when Axel collapses.

### [XXIII: Water Discovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxiii-water-discovered)

The Professor is frantic with excitement, praises Hans, and proposes naming the spring 'Hansbach'; he agrees to let the water flow to guide them.

### [XXIV: Well Said, Old Mole! Canst Thou Work i’ the Ground So Fast?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxiv-well-said-old-mole-canst-thou-work-i-the-ground-so-fast)

The Professor storms against the horizontal road, preferring vertical descents. He constantly consults his compass and instruments, and delights in the realization they are under the sea.

### [De Profundis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxv-de-profundis)

Calculates their position, dismisses Axel's rational objections with anger, defends his theories against the central heat hypothesis, and insists on continuing the journey.

### [XXVI: The Worst Peril of All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxvi-the-worst-peril-of-all)

Mentioned as having foresight in preventing the stream from being blocked, but is absent during Axel's crisis.

### [XXVII: Lost in the Bowels of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxvii-lost-in-the-bowels-of-the-earth)

Axel reproaches his uncle in his thoughts, imagining the Professor's own suffering while searching for him.

### [The Rescue in the Whispering Gallery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxviii-the-rescue-in-the-whispering-gallery)

His voice reaches Axel through the rock; he calculates the distance between them and directs Axel to descend toward the chamber where he and Hans wait.

### [XXIX: Thalatta! Thalatta!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxix-thalatta-thalatta)

Tenderly cares for Axel, explains the situation, and announces their plan to set sail.

### [XXX: A New Mare Internum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxx-a-new-mare-internum)

The Professor is already familiar with the wonders, names the sea after himself, and guides Axel along the shore.

### [XXXI: Preparations for a Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxi-preparations-for-a-voyage-of-discovery)

The Professor explains the tidal phenomenon, confirms Davy's theory, and insists on continuing their journey. He calculates their position and depth, and directs Hans in building the raft.

### [XXXII: Wonders of the Deep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxii-wonders-of-the-deep)

The Professor names Port Gräuben, estimates the raft's speed, identifies the blind fossil fish, and rouses Axel from his hallucination.

### [XXXIII: A Battle of Monsters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-battle-of-monsters)

Impatient with the sea's width, doubts the route, examines the horizon with his glass, and identifies the ichthyosaurus and plesiosaurus.

### [XXXIV: The Great Geyser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-great-geyser)

The Professor insists on steering toward the phenomenon, identifies the islet and geyser, and names the islet after Axel.

### [XXXV: An Electric Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxv-an-electric-storm)

The Professor refuses to lower the sail, hoping to see land, and later nods consent when Axel writes the suggestion. He falls full length during the storm.

### [XXXVI: Calm Philosophic Discussions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxvi-calm-philosophic-discussions)

Cheerful and optimistic after the storm; calculates their position and insists on continuing downward despite the compass anomaly.

### [XXXVII: The Liedenbrock Museum of Geology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-liedenbrock-museum-of-geology)

Enraged by the setback, he resolves to continue forward and explores the bone field, discovering a human skull.

### [The Professor in His Chair Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-professor-in-his-chair-again)

Delivers an impassioned lecture on the fossil man, defending Quaternary human existence and analyzing the specimen with scholarly fervor.

### [XXXIX: Forest Scenery Illuminated by Electricity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxix-forest-scenery-illuminated-by-electricity)

Driven by curiosity, he urges Axel forward despite danger, identifies the dagger's origin, and excitedly recognizes Saknussemm's initials.

### [Preparations for Blasting a Passage to the Centre of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xl-preparations-for-blasting-a-passage-to-the-centre-of-the-earth)

The Professor delivers a rhapsodic eulogy to Saknussemm, names the cape after him, and counsels patience. He agrees to the blasting plan and helps prepare the slow match.

### [XLI: The Great Explosion and the Rush Down Below](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xli-the-great-explosion-and-the-rush-down-below)

The Professor times the fuse with his chronometer and remains focused on the scientific aspects, though he is later seen clinging to the mast with haggard eyes.

### [XLII: Headlong Speed Upward Through the Horrors of Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xlii-headlong-speed-upward-through-the-horrors-of-darkness)

The Professor remains cool and resolute, insisting they must eat to keep up their strength. He studies the rock strata and tries to calculate their ascent, refusing to give up hope.

### [XLIII: Shot Out of a Volcano at Last!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xliii-shot-out-of-a-volcano-at-last)

The Professor remains calm and self-possessed, correctly interpreting the signs of an eruption and viewing it as the best possible route to the surface.

### [Sunny Lands in the Blue Mediterranean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xliv-sunny-lands-in-the-blue-mediterranean)

Irascible upon landing, quickly shifts to scientific curiosity about their location and the compass discrepancy, and insists on explaining the phenomenon.

### [All's Well That Ends Well](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xlv-all-s-well-that-ends-well)

Receives great fame, gives a public lecture, and finally learns the compass was reversed by the electric storm.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters/professor_liedenbrock
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters