# Charles Dexter Ward — The Case of Charles Dexter Ward character guide

> Charles Dexter Ward in The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H. P. Lovecraft.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Charles Ward, Ward, young Charles Ward, young Ward, Charles

**First appearance:** 0001-the-case-of-charles-dexter-ward

## Snapshot

A brilliant young Providence antiquarian whose passion for genealogy curdles into obsession, drawing him toward an ancestor's forbidden papers and a locked attic laboratory.

## Who they are

Charles Dexter Ward is the only son of a wealthy Providence family, a gifted, meticulous boy whose antiquarian enthusiasms his parents indulged until his health and habits began to change. His genealogical digging into the family's colonial past carries him from graveyards and archives into something far older and hungrier, and the strain shows in his pallor, his secrecy, and his nights away from home. His slow estrangement from the ordinary world is the engine of the book's dread.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/mrs_ward)

_family_

Charles is the son of Mrs. Ward, and their relationship becomes strained as he grows secretive and obsessed with his ancestor.

### [Joseph Curwen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/joseph_curwen)

_psychological_

Charles becomes obsessed with his ancestor Joseph Curwen, eventually being possessed or replaced by Curwen's resurrected consciousness.

### [Theodore Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/theodore_ward)

_family_

Theodore is Charles's father, who is increasingly alarmed by his son's bizarre behavior and reclusive nature.

### [Dr. Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/dr_allen)

_professional_

Dr. Allen serves as a caretaker and accomplice to the Curwen-possessed Charles, aiding in his occult experiments.

### [Ann Tillinghast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/ann_tillinghast)

_social_

Ann is a genealogist who assists Charles in his research into the Curwen family history.

### [Edward Hutchinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/edward_hutchinson)

_social_

Edward Hutchinson is a historical figure and ancestor of Charles, whose records Charles studies during his genealogical research.

### [Joseph Curwen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/joseph_curwen)

_psychological_

Charles becomes obsessed with his ancestor Joseph Curwen, eventually being possessed or replaced by Curwen's resurrected consciousness.

## In the story

### [The Case of Charles Dexter Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/chapters/the-case-of-charles-dexter-ward)

The protagonist, a young antiquarian whose genealogical research leads him to uncover his ancestor Joseph Curwen's dark secrets, resulting in a profound and disturbing transformation.

### [I: A Result and a Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/chapters/i-a-result-and-a-prologue)

The patient who disappeared from the hospital; described as having aged prematurely, with bizarre physical and psychological changes, and a lost memory of modern life.

### [II: An Antecedent and a Horror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/chapters/ii-an-antecedent-and-a-horror)

The descendant who researches Curwen's history, uncovering letters and diaries that reveal the dark events.

### [III: A Search and an Evocation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/chapters/iii-a-search-and-an-evocation)

Interviewed by Dr. Willett; reveals his research into Curwen's papers and the need for mystic symbols on the headstone; refuses college; his portrait crumbles.

### [IV: A Mutation and a Madness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/chapters/iv-a-mutation-and-a-madness)

Grows increasingly pale, emaciated, and secretive; moves operations to Pawtuxet bungalow; exhibits hoarse speech, altered handwriting, and memory loss; ultimately deemed insane by alienists.

### [V: A Nightmare and a Cataclysm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/chapters/v-a-nightmare-and-a-cataclysm)

Now clearly possessed or replaced by Joseph Curwen's consciousness; his normal handwriting has vanished and his behavior has become alien.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/charles_dexter_ward
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters