# Edward Derby Upton — Short Fiction character guide

> Edward Derby Upton in Short Fiction by H. P. Lovecraft.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Edward Derby, Derby, young Derby, Upton, Ed

**First appearance:** 0072-the-thing-on-the-doorstep

## Snapshot

A precocious, coddled poet of nightmare-lyrics whose marriage to the domineering Asenath slowly erodes his identity and sanity.

## Who they are

Raised in overprotected seclusion in legend-haunted Arkham, Edward grew into a childlike genius—blond, soft-voiced, dependent—whose verse collection Azathoth and Other Horrors made him a minor sensation. His marriage to Asenath Crowninshield, a woman of hypnotic will, leaves him increasingly uncertain of his own self, hinting darkly about 'gaining his identity.' His helpless drift from gifted dreamer to something unrecognizable anchors the story's central dread.

## Relationships

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_friendship_

Edward Derby Upton is a close friend and confidant of the narrator, often involved in shared occult or mysterious experiences.

### [Asenath Waite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/asenath_waite)

_romantic_

Asenath Waite is married to Edward Derby Upton, but their relationship is toxic and controlling, with Asenath using her occult powers to dominate him.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_friendship_

Edward Derby Upton is a close friend and confidant of the narrator, often involved in shared occult or mysterious experiences.

### [Unknown Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/unknown_narrator)

_friendship_

Edward Derby Upton is a close friend and confidant of the narrator, often involved in shared occult or mysterious experiences.

### [Asenath Waite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/asenath_waite)

_romantic_

Asenath Waite is married to Edward Derby Upton, but their relationship is toxic and controlling, with Asenath using her occult powers to dominate him.

## In the story

### [The Thing on the Doorstep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/the-thing-on-the-doorstep)

A sensitive, intellectual man who becomes the victim of Asenath Waite's psychic possession.

### [The Thing on the Doorstep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/1)

A precocious poet and scholar, deeply interested in occult lore; sheltered by his parents and later drawn into dangerous circles.

### [The Meeting of Edward Derby and Asenath Waite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/2)

A 38-year-old man who becomes infatuated with Asenath Waite, marries her, and begins to change under her influence.

### [The Unseen Exchange](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/3)

Shows increasingly confident and sneering behavior when driving, but also exhibits moments of pain and hopelessness; hints at occult studies and personality exchanges with Asenath.

### [The Possession of Edward Derby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/4)

The possessed husband, who raves about his wife's body-swapping magic and exhibits a sudden, unnatural change in personality and driving skill.

### [The Struggle for Identity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/5)

Reveals the truth about Asenath/Ephraim and his struggle for control of his own body.

### [Chapter 6](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/6)

Suffers mental collapse, is institutionalized, and later appears to recover but with a foreign, Asenath-like personality.

### [Chapter 7](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/chapters/7)

The victim of Asenath's soul transference; writes a desperate letter from within her rotting corpse.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters/edward_derby_upton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_26_se/characters