# Dr. Alvin Burns — The Marrow of Tradition character guide

> Dr. Alvin Burns in The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Dr. Burns, Burns

**First appearance:** 0008-vii-the-operation

## Who they are

A white doctor who assists Dr. Miller in a critical operation.

## In the story

### [A Journey Southward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/v-a-journey-southward)

Miller's former professor; outraged by segregation; traveling to Wellington to operate on a child.

### [VI: Janet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/vi-janet)

Renowned surgeon brought from the North to operate on Dodie; invites Miller to assist and praises his skills.

### [VII: The Operation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/vii-the-operation)

Eminent surgeon from Philadelphia; insists on Miller's participation on professional grounds but yields after Carteret cites personal reasons.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/characters/dr_burns
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/characters