# Professor G. E. Challenger — The Lost World character guide

> Professor G. E. Challenger in The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Professor Challenger, Challenger, Dear Professor Challenger, the notorious Professor Challenger, the undaunted Challenger, George Edward Challenger, George, Ned, George Edward, Old Challenger, Massa Challenger

**First appearance:** 0003-i-there-are-heroisms-all-round-us

## Snapshot

A roaring, bull-necked zoologist who claims to have found a prehistoric plateau in South America, and dares the scientific world to prove him a liar.

## Who they are

Challenger dominates every room he enters, whether lecturing a hostile hall of scientists or bullying his own expedition into shape. His ferocious temper and theatrical vanity are matched by a genuine, fearless hunger for proof, and he treats disbelief as a personal insult to be crushed. Because he stakes his whole reputation on the plateau's existence, his credibility becomes the expedition's engine — and its most combustible risk.

## In the story

### [The Lost World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/the-lost-world)

The brilliant but belligerent scientist who claims to have discovered a lost world and becomes the leader of the expedition.

### [II: Try Your Luck with Professor Challenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/ii-try-your-luck-with-professor-challenger)

The controversial zoologist Malone is assigned to investigate; known for violence and scientific disputes.

### [He Is a Perfectly Impossible Person](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/iii-he-is-a-perfectly-impossible-person)

Hosts Malone, quickly sees through his deception, and physically assaults him, demonstrating his volatile and domineering nature.

### [IV: It’s Just the Very Biggest Thing in the World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/iv-it-s-just-the-very-biggest-thing-in-the-world)

Presents photographic and physical evidence to Malone, explains the geological origins of the plateau, and recounts finding Maple White's remains.

### [V: Question!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/v-question)

Interrupts Waldron's lecture repeatedly, then moves a vote of thanks and proposes an expedition to verify his claims.

### [I Was the Flail of the Lord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/vi-i-was-the-flail-of-the-lord)

Appears at the docks to deliver final instructions and a sealed envelope, then departs.

### [Tomorrow We Disappear Into the Unknown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/vii-tomorrow-we-disappear-into-the-unknown)

Makes a surprise appearance at the end of the chapter, appearing in person after the blank envelope is opened.

### [VIII: The Outlying Pickets of the New World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/viii-the-outlying-pickets-of-the-new-world)

In a beatific humor, but prone to sudden temper; asserts leadership, provoking Summerlee's resentment.

### [IX: Who Could Have Foreseen It?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/ix-who-could-have-foreseen-it)

Insists on being first to cross the bridge to the plateau, claiming the honor for science; later receives an apology from Summerlee after the pterodactyl sighting.

### [For Once I Was the Hero](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/xi-for-once-i-was-the-hero)

Defends continued exploration of the plateau, dismisses Summerlee's concerns about returning to London, and questions Malone about the ape-man's anatomy.

### [It Was Dreadful in the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/xii-it-was-dreadful-in-the-forest)

Snoring loudly in camp when Malone departs; later missing.

### [A Sight Which I Shall Never Forget](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/xiii-a-sight-which-i-shall-never-forget)

Seen as a prisoner of the ape-men, stripped to rags, hair wild, begging for Summerlee's life; later described as up a tree eating pine nuts and fraternizing with the ape-king.

### [XIV: Those Were the Real Conquests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/xiv-those-were-the-real-conquests)

Expands like a flower at the Indians' homage; lectures on the racial type of the Accala; agrees to cooperate in the raid.

### [Our Eyes Have Seen Great Wonders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/xv-our-eyes-have-seen-great-wonders)

Explores the lake with Summerlee; later examines the map and joins the cave exploration.

### [XVI: A Procession! A Procession!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/chapters/xvi-a-procession-a-procession)

Present at the Queen's Hall meeting and later at Lord John Roxton's supper, described with his characteristic condescension and aggressive demeanor.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/characters/professor_challenger
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_world_se/characters