# Ryland — The Last Man character guide

> Ryland in The Last Man by Mary Shelley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Ryland

**First appearance:** 0002-the-last-man

## Snapshot

A self-made English politician whose sharp tongue and sharper ambition make him Raymond's most formidable rival in the chamber and the country.

## Who they are

Ryland rises from a father ruined by gambling and royal favour to become a voice of patriotic opposition, wary of Raymond's royal ambitions and Adrian's idealism alike. He is pragmatic where Raymond is dazzling, suspicious of charisma, and unafraid to speak plainly when others flatter. His clashes with Raymond over the Protectorship give the novel's political middle its friction, and his arguments — remembered and repeated by Verney — frame the question of whether power should be seized or earned.

## Relationships

### [Lord Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/lord_raymond)

_rivalry_

Lord Raymond and Ryland are bitter political rivals, constantly vying for power and influence.

### [Lord Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/lord_raymond)

_rivalry_

Lord Raymond and Ryland are bitter political rivals, constantly vying for power and influence.

## In the story

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-vii)

Mentioned as one of the opposing candidates for Lord Protector, alongside the Duke of ⸻.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv)

Old adversary of Raymond, candidate for Protectorate, skeptical of Adrian's optimistic vision.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-v)

Elected Protector, his plans to suppress the privileged orders are thwarted by the plague crisis; he must conciliate the nobility and abandon his equalization schemes.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi)

Lord Protector; panics upon learning the plague is in London, renounces his office, and flees.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-viii)

Mentioned as having predicted the plague's ferocity, comparing it to wolves.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/ryland
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters