# Dr. Charles Irving — The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano character guide

> Dr. Charles Irving in The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dr. Charles Irving, Charles Irving, Doctor Irving, the celebrated Doctor Irving

**First appearance:** 0009-vii

## Snapshot

A celebrated physician and inventor who befriends Equiano, trusts him with his estate, and draws him into a plantation venture abroad.

## Who they are

Irving is the kind of friend Equiano makes once he is free and respected, a man of science and schemes who asks him to help manage a plantation at Jamaica and the Mosquito Shore. Their voyage carries four Mosquito Indians home, including a king's son Equiano tutors in Christianity and letters, a small scene that reveals Equiano's own missionary ambitions. Irving matters because he shows the fragile, contingent nature of a freed man's security, a partnership built on trust that still rests on another man's property.

## Relationships

### [Captain Pascal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/captain_pascal)

_professional_

Captain Pascal and Dr. Charles Irving have a professional connection, likely through shipboard or medical services.

### [Olaudah Equiano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/olaudah_equiano)

_professional_

Dr. Charles Irving employs Olaudah Equiano as an assistant or servant during his voyages.

### [Daniel Queen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/daniel_queen)

_professional_

Daniel Queen and Dr. Charles Irving are professional colleagues, likely on a ship or expedition.

### [Olaudah Equiano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/olaudah_equiano)

_professional_

Dr. Charles Irving employs Olaudah Equiano as an assistant or servant during his voyages.

## In the story

### [The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/the-interesting-narrative-of-the-life-of-olaudah-equiano)

Equiano's master during his time in the Musquito Shore and on voyages to the North Pole.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/vii)

Referred to as 'my careful doctor, Mr. Brady' in the chapter, whom Equiano thanks for his kindness during a past illness.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/ix)

Equiano's old master who offers him service again; they work on freshening sea water and later embark on a voyage to the North Pole.

### [Chapter X: Spiritual Struggles and the Kidnapping of John Annis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/x)

Equiano leaves his service after returning from the North Pole voyage.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/xi)

Engages Equiano to accompany him to Jamaica and the Mosquito Shore; they cultivate a plantation together.

### [Chapter XII: Different Transactions of the Author's Life Till the Present Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/xii)

Mentioned as Mr. Irving, from whom surplus provisions were to be received for the Sierra Leone voyage.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters/dr_charles_irving
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/characters