# Joseph Curwen — The Case of Charles Dexter Ward character guide > Joseph Curwen in The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H. P. Lovecraft. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Curwen, Joseph, Jos. Curwen, old Joseph Curwen **First appearance:** 0003-ii-an-antecedent-and-a-horror ## Snapshot A colonial Providence merchant and alchemist whose unnaturally preserved existence and appetite for forbidden knowledge reach across two centuries to claim his descendant. ## Who they are Joseph Curwen was a wealthy, reclusive eighteenth-century Providence figure whose long life, strange cargo, and nocturnal habits made him the subject of whispered legend and, eventually, of a conspiracy among his neighbors. He pursued a specific and terrible branch of learning — the raising of the dead from their essential salts — and he did not intend to be finished by mere mortality. His papers, his grave, and his reputation are the buried inheritance that Charles Dexter Ward goes looking for, and finds. ## Relationships ### [Charles Dexter Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/charles_dexter_ward) _psychological_ Charles becomes obsessed with his ancestor Joseph Curwen, eventually being possessed or replaced by Curwen's resurrected consciousness. ### [Mrs. Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/mrs_ward) _psychological_ Curwen, through his possession of Charles, manipulates and terrifies Mrs. Ward, who senses her son is no longer himself. ### [Captain Abraham Whipple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/captain_abraham_whipple) _rivalry_ Captain Whipple led the 18th-century raid on Curwen's farm, opposing his necromantic activities. ### [Ezra Weeden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/ezra_weeden) _rivalry_ Ezra Weeden was a local farmer who opposed Curwen's sinister activities and participated in the raid against him. ### [Ann Tillinghast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/ann_tillinghast) _social_ Ann Tillinghast is a descendant of a family historically connected to Curwen, providing Charles with information about him. ### [Dr. Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/dr_allen) _professional_ Dr. Allen is a loyal servant and assistant to the resurrected Joseph Curwen, helping him maintain his disguise as Charles. ### [John Merritt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/john_merritt) _rivalry_ John Merritt was a sea captain who helped transport Curwen's illicit cargo and later turned against him. ### [Mrs. Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/mrs_ward) _psychological_ Curwen, through his possession of Charles, manipulates and terrifies Mrs. Ward, who senses her son is no longer himself. ### [Dr. Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/dr_allen) _professional_ Dr. Allen is a loyal servant and assistant to the resurrected Joseph Curwen, helping him maintain his disguise as Charles. ### [Ann Tillinghast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/ann_tillinghast) _social_ Ann Tillinghast is a descendant of a family historically connected to Curwen, providing Charles with information about him. ### [Charles Dexter Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/charles_dexter_ward) _psychological_ Charles becomes obsessed with his ancestor Joseph Curwen, eventually being possessed or replaced by Curwen's resurrected consciousness. ### [Mrs. Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/mrs_ward) _psychological_ Curwen, through his possession of Charles, manipulates and terrifies Mrs. Ward, who senses her son is no longer himself. ## 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) Charles's mysterious ancestor from the 18th century, a reputed wizard and alchemist whose dark practices and possible resurrection are central to the plot. ### [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) Ward's long-lived maternal ancestor from Salem, around whom disquieting stories cluster; his discovery triggers Ward's occult pursuits. ### [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 deceased sorcerer whose memory is systematically obliterated; his death and occult practices are central to the chapter's horror. ### [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) His portrait crumbles to dust; his papers and history are central to Charles's research. ### [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) Referenced as the ancient wizard whose discovered papers are believed to be the key to Charles's madness. ### [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) His mind and personality are believed to have been resurrected and now inhabit Charles Ward's body, continuing his ancient necromantic work. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_case_of_charles_dexter_ward_se/characters/joseph_curwen - 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