# Doctor Hesselius — Short Fiction character guide > Doctor Hesselius in Short Fiction by J. Sheridan Le Fanu. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Dr. Martin Hesselius, Dr. Hesselius, Martin Hesselius, Martin, The late Dr. Hesselius, Dear Dr. Hesselius **First appearance:** 0055-green-tea ## Snapshot A metaphysical physician who collects other people's darkest cases, piecing together the hidden laws that govern mind, body, and the things between them. ## Who they are Dr. Martin Hesselius moves through drawing-rooms and correspondence alike, a quiet, well-liked bachelor whose sixty thousand pounds and charitable habits make him a favourite of hostesses who know nothing of his real work. What draws him is not society but the unexplained: a clergyman whose voice fails him in his own pulpit, a patient whose symptoms resist every ordinary diagnosis. His method—patient, skeptical, unafraid to follow a case into the metaphysical—frames the tales he transmits, and his presence in the early arc signals that what follows will be examined as closely as it is felt. ## In the story ### [Some Gossip About Chapelizod](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/some-gossip-about-chapelizod) Referenced as a figure associated with the supernatural and ghost-seeing, though not directly appearing in this chapter. ### [Borrhomeo the Astrologer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/borrhomeo-the-astrologer) The narrator who recounts the story from a manuscript found in a Dominican monastery. ### [An Authentic Narrative of a Haunted House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/an-authentic-narrative-of-a-haunted-house) The narrator's physician who ordered the seaside change and later pronounced a longer stay unnecessary. ### [Green Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/green-tea) The physician and narrator who investigates Jennings' case. ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/prologue) Introduced as the German physician and master of the narrator; his papers form the basis of the book. ### [I: Dr. Hesselius Relates How He Met the Rev. Mr. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/i-dr-hesselius-relates-how-he-met-the-rev-mr-jennings) Narrator and medical philosopher; meets Mr. Jennings at Lady Mary's party and observes his peculiar mannerisms. ### [II: The Doctor Questions Lady Mary, and She Answers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/ii-the-doctor-questions-lady-mary-and-she-answers) The narrator and physician who questions Lady Mary and deduces facts about Mr. Jennings. ### [III: Dr. Hesselius Picks Up Something in Latin Books](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/iii-dr-hesselius-picks-up-something-in-latin-books) Narrator and visitor to Mr. Jennings' study; examines Swedenborg's works and observes Jennings' private note. ### [IV: Four Eyes Were Reading the Passage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/iv-four-eyes-were-reading-the-passage) The narrator, who is reading Swedenborg and discussing metaphysical medicine with Mr. Jennings. ### [V: Doctor Hesselius Is Summoned to Richmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/v-doctor-hesselius-is-summoned-to-richmond) The narrator and physician who receives Mr. Jennings' notes, visits Lady Mary, and finally goes to Richmond to hear Mr. Jennings' story. ### [VI: How Mr. Jennings Met His Companion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/vi-how-mr-jennings-met-his-companion) The narrator, who listens to Mr. Jennings's story and provides the framing perspective. ### [VII: The Journey: First Stage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/vii-the-journey-first-stage) Addressed by the narrator as Dr. Hesselius, the listener to his confession. ### [VIII: The Second Stage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/viii-the-second-stage) The listener and physician to whom Jennings confides his ordeal; offers a philosophical ear. ### [IX: The Third Stage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/ix-the-third-stage) Listens to Mr. Jennings's account, offers reassurance, and promises to consider the case carefully. ### [X: Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/x-home) Narrates the chapter; attempts to treat Mr. Jennings rationally but arrives too late to prevent the suicide. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/conclusion) Narrates the conclusion, explaining his medical theory and his regret over Mr. Jennings' suicide. ### [The Earl’s Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/the-earl-s-hall) The framing narrator who presents the governess's story. ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/prologue) Wrote a note attached to the narrative, referencing his essay on the mysterious subject. ### [I: An Early Fright](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/i-an-early-fright) The elderly, pallid doctor called to examine the narrator after the incident. ### [II: A Guest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/ii-a-guest) The narrator, who recounts the story and is the daughter of the host. ### [IX: The Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/ix-the-doctor) Referred to as Doctor Spielsberg; examines Laura and diagnoses her condition, instructing that she never be left alone. ### [X: Bereaved](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/x-bereaved) The narrator's father, who listens to the General's story and initially suspects his sanity but becomes alarmed as the tale unfolds. ### [XIII: The Woodman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/xiii-the-woodman) Implied as the narrator's father, who accompanies the party and questions the General. ### [Ordeal and Execution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/xv-ordeal-and-execution) Implied as the narrator; recounts the events and the official report. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/xvi-conclusion) The narrator's father, who hosts Baron Vordenburg and learns the history of the vampire. ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/prologue) Referenced as the source of the case notes and the essay on 'The Interior Sense'. ### [I: The Judge’s House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/i-the-judge-s-house) The narrator who receives the ghost story and writes to a friend for more details about Judge Harbottle. ### [IX: The Judge Leaves His House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/ix-the-judge-leaves-his-house) Mentioned as Doctor Hedstone, attending the Judge in the morning. ### [The Familiar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/the-familiar) Observer and chronicler of the strange events, providing a rational perspective. ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/prologue) Provides introductory remarks on the case and his scientific analysis of supernatural phenomena. ### [I: Footsteps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/i-footsteps) Narrator; a young man at the time, intimately acquainted with the actors in this tale, relating the events from memory. ### [IV: He Talks with a Clergyman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/iv-he-talks-with-a-clergyman) The clergyman consulted by Barton; listens to his confession of belief in a spiritual world and retribution. ### [Sir Dominick's Bargain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/chapters/sir-dominick-s-bargain) Mentioned as the recipient of the story; provides a framing device for the tale. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/characters/doctor_hesselius - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_31_se/characters