# Samuel T. Philander — Tarzan of the Apes character guide

> Samuel T. Philander in Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Philander, Philander, Skinny Philander, Skinny

**First appearance:** 0014-xiii-his-own-kind

## Snapshot

Nervous, nearsighted scholar who has spent decades trailing Professor Porter through jungles and academic feuds, only to bicker with him in a tree above a pacing lion.

## Who they are

Philander is the long-suffering companion and foil to Professor Archimedes Q. Porter, dragged along on the expedition that strands the Porter party in Africa. His testy relationship with the professor — decades of devotion punctuated by icy threats and boyhood nicknames like 'Skinny' — reveals two old friends who have forgotten how to be human with each other. When a lion traps them in a tree, their squabble over cowardice and credit becomes one of the novel's funniest and most tender scenes, and their rescue by an unseen agency plants the first hint that something extraordinary watches from the branches.

## In the story

### [Most Remarkable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xvi-most-remarkable)

Lost with the professor, spots the lion first, runs in terror, and is yanked to safety by Tarzan; reconciles with Porter afterward.

### [Burials](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xvii-burials)

Tasked with watching Professor Porter, expresses difficulty in managing him.

### [XVIII: The Jungle Toll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xviii-the-jungle-toll)

Accompanies Professor Porter; is worn out from worry and effort.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/chapters/xxviii-conclusion)

Observes Canler's arrival with annoyance and comments on the situation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters/samuel_philander
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/tarzan_of_the_apes_se/characters