# Adrian — The Last Man character guide > Adrian in The Last Man by Mary Shelley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** O Adrian **First appearance:** 0002-the-last-man ## Snapshot A gentle, philosophical nobleman whose idealism survives slander, imprisonment, and plague, making him the moral center his friends cling to. ## Who they are Adrian is the friend who lifts the narrator from obscurity and the brother whose supposed madness sends Idris pleading for rescue. He meditates on how to free souls from a cruel preacher's grip, and his compassion extends even to the ruined Juliet, whom he resolves to save. In a story increasingly defined by loss, his unwavering goodness gives the early and middle chapters their measure of what humanity might still be. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-ii) Shown as a generous, loving friend who seeks to educate Lionel and is deeply in love with Evadne, though his passion is not fully reciprocated. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-iii) Suffers deeply from Evadne's rejection, his health and intellect decline, and he lives in seclusion. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-iv) Mentioned as Lionel's best friend and benefactor; Raymond disparages him and later confirms his irrecoverable madness. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-v) Mentioned as the object of Lionel's mission; believed to be mad or imprisoned; Lionel vows to restore him to Idris. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-vi) Visits Lionel with Idris, fostering their friendship; engages in dangerous boating on the Thames. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-vii) Supports Raymond's candidacy, rides alongside the carriage, and helps dispel Perdita's melancholy with his gaiety. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-viii) Health declines; he studies ardently and visits Raymond in London, often accompanied by Clara. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-ix) Adrian is mentioned as part of the domestic circle at Windsor Castle, though not directly involved in the chapter's central conflict. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-x) Listens to Raymond's confession about Evadne and discusses Raymond's conduct with Lionel, showing concern for the deteriorating situation. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-xi) Returns from Greece; breaks the silence about Raymond; shares news of the war and Raymond's deeds; helps Clara and Perdita. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv) Health declines perceptibly; he speaks of death familiarly but continues to cultivate his mind and spread happiness. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi) Earl of Windsor; confronts Ryland, accepts the Protectorship, and resolves to fight the plague with courage and self-devotion. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-vii) Mentioned as the one who once superintended the poor; his absence is noted in the current crisis. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-viii) Active in rural benevolence during the plague; Lionel seeks him in London but does not find him at the palace. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-ix) Adrian returns from a year of laborious and painful tasks, now energetic and resolute. He prevents a massacre by urging peace and brotherhood, and reunites with Idris, observing her deteriorated state. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-i) Adrian is referenced in comparison to Idris, as one who spent the vital oil of life early. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-ii) Proposes emigration to Italy as a distraction from despair; cares for Lionel's children during the storm. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-iii) Travels with his division of emigrants, occupied with public business, and is separated from Lionel and Idris during the journey. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-iv) Leads the emigrants; inspects steamboats at Dover; absent during the Parisian strife. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-v) Leads the group at Versailles; meditates on how to counter the preacher's fraud; struggles to maintain order and protect his followers. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-vi) The Protector; sends letters and a messenger detailing his perilous situation at Versailles, urging Lionel to proceed while he deals with rebellion and plague. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-vii) Leans against a tree reading, but his thoughts are absorbed by the surrounding tragedy. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-viii) Speaks of their duties to bestow pleasure and love, proposes descending to Italy for Clara's sake, and is a source of consolation and philosophy. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-ix) Mentioned as having drowned; his gentle smile and poetic fervor are recalled in Lionel's memories. ### [The Last Man's Lament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-x) Adrian, Earl of Windsor, is remembered as a dear friend and companion who drowned at sea along with Clara. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/adrian - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters