The Last Man · Character

Lord Raymond

A dazzling, honey-tongued nobleman whose hunger for the first station in England turns every charm into an instrument of ambition.

major

Also known as Raymond, the despised Raymond, the ambitious Raymond, O Raymond, Dearest Raymond

First appearance: the last man

As a major figure in The Last Man, Lord Raymond is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Returns from Greece; his worldly nature contrasts with Adrian's idealism, and he becomes the object of Evadne's love.

In the storyIIIOpen this moment free

See Lord Raymond in III Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Raymond returns from Greek victories and sudden fortune to a country that once despised him, and he means to make it bow. He is courteous, magnetic, and utterly convinced that power is the only proof of worth, a creed that sets him against Adrian's idealism and unsettles everyone who loves him. His courtship of Perdita and his political maneuvering give the novel its first great engine of tension, since no one can tell whether his brilliance will build or destroy.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Lord Raymond sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Lord Raymond in the last man

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Lord Raymond sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central Family and Love Triangle
Supporting Characters and Political Factions

+7 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, the narrator reaches an emotional and psychological peak by abandoning the detailed, chronolo…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Evadne Zaimi
romantic · negative
Evadne Zaimi is passionately in love with Lord Raymond, though her feelings are largely… How this plays out →
Ryland
rivalry · negative
Clara
romantic · ambivalent
Idris
family · ambivalent
Ryland
rivalry · negative
Idris
family · ambivalent
Evadne Zaimi
romantic · negative
Evadne Zaimi is passionately in love with Lord Raymond, though her feelings are largely… How this plays out →
Evadne Zaimi
romantic · negative
Evadne Zaimi is passionately in love with Lord Raymond, though her feelings are largely… How this plays out →

Evadne Zaimi
Evadne Zaimi is passionately in love with Lord Raymond, though her feelings are largely unrequited and lead to tragedy.
Ryland
Lord Raymond and Ryland are bitter political rivals, constantly vying for power and influence.
Clara
Clara and Lord Raymond share a romantic relationship, though it is complicated by external pressures.
Idris
Idris is Lord Raymond's sister, and their relationship is one of sibling affection and occasional tension.
Ryland
Lord Raymond and Ryland are bitter political rivals, constantly vying for power and influence.
Idris
Idris is Lord Raymond's sister, and their relationship is one of sibling affection and occasional tension.
Evadne Zaimi
Evadne Zaimi is passionately in love with Lord Raymond, though her feelings are largely unrequited and lead to tragedy.
Evadne Zaimi
Evadne Zaimi is passionately in love with Lord Raymond, though her feelings are largely unrequited and lead to tragedy.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Lord Raymond in the last man

In the story

Lord Raymond appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

III
Returns from Greece; his worldly nature contrasts with Adrian's idealism, and he becomes the object of Evadne's love.
IV
Visits Perdita's cottage, displays his charismatic and contradictory nature, discusses his political ambitions and marriage to Idris, and reveals his plan to become king.
V
Triumphant after the debate; reconciles with Perdita and pledges his love; taunts Lionel with his ambition.
VI
Departed for the continent with Perdita; Lionel refrains from asking him for financial help due to Raymond's worldly principles.
VII
The ambitious candidate for Lord Protector; initially despondent after humiliation, he becomes determined and wins the election, displaying both charm and inner turmoil.
Chapter VIII
As Protector, he is full of ambitious plans for public works and visits Evadne, unaware of her identity.
IX
Raymond is now Protector, enjoying power but struggling with the secret of his visits to Evadne. He experiences remorse and resolves to return fully to Perdita.
Chapter X
Consumed by ambition and remorse, he descends into dissipation and neglects his duties as Protector, confessing his love for Perdita and his affair with Evadne to Adrian and Idris.
Chapter XI
Absent in Greece; leads cavalry charges; reported missing and possibly dead after the Battle of Makri; his horse found by the Hebrus.
I
Released from Turkish imprisonment as a dying man; slowly recovers in Athens and Eleusis. He is inspired by Greek gratitude and vows to unite his fate with theirs, leading the army against the Turks.
Chapter II
Raymond is deeply melancholic and convinced of his impending death due to Evadne's prophecy. He confides in Lionel, entrusts his family to him, and resolves to conquer Constantinople despite the plague.
Chapter III
Deceased hero; his body is retrieved and buried in a tomb on Hymettus, and his memory is eulogized by Lionel.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Lord Raymond unlock in the free preview.

See Lord Raymond in the last man

See Lord Raymond in III