# Dr. Priestley — The Murders in Praed Street character guide

> Dr. Priestley in The Murders in Praed Street by John Rhode.

**Role:** major

**First appearance:** 0014-xiii-enter-dr-priestley

## Snapshot

A proud, sharp-minded professor who cannot let a puzzle go, even when the police dismiss his theories and his own reputation starts to sting.

## Who they are

Dr. Priestley is an amateur criminologist whose earlier theories about the Praed Street murders were brushed aside by Inspector Hanslet, and the slight has lodged in his pride. Determined to redeem himself, he reaches out to the herbalist Ludgrove, sensing a witness the police have undervalued. His willingness to work outside official channels makes him the story's most persistent and dangerous mind.

## In the story

### [Part II: The Criminal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/part-ii-the-criminal)

The detective enters the case, bringing his analytical mind to bear on the mysterious events.

### [XIII: Enter Dr. Priestley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xiii-enter-dr-priestley)

The eccentric scientist, having just completed a book, welcomes a new problem from Inspector Hanslet.

### [XIV: The Morlandson Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xiv-the-morlandson-trial)

Weary but intellectually engaged; sends Harold to research the Morlandson trial, visits Scotland Yard, and reveals a growing sense of personal danger.

### [Corfe Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xvi-corfe-castle)

Travels incognito to Corfe Castle under the name Mr. Deacon, investigating the death of Morlandson.

### [XVII: The Clay-Pit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xvii-the-clay-pit)

Investigates the site of Morlandson's death and the heath; forms a theory based on conjecture; encounters the Black Sailor.

### [XVIII: The Avenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xviii-the-avenger)

Confronts the Black Sailor on the heath; learns he is the last intended victim of Morlandson's vengeance.

### [XIX: A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xix-a-discovery)

Reveals his theory linking the murders to the Morlandson jury; summons Hanslet to Corfe Castle.

### [Mr. Ludgrove's Invitation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xx-mr-ludgrove-s-invitation)

Receives Ludgrove's invitation and visits his shop; becomes absorbed in a book; is startled by the appearance of the Black Sailor.

### [XXI: An Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xxi-an-explanation)

Captive audience to the Black Sailor's confession; listens intently, hoping to devise a plan for capture.

### [XXII: The Death Chamber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xxii-the-death-chamber)

Confronts the Black Sailor in the death chamber, listens to his confession, and devises a desperate plan to survive the gas poisoning by waiting for the right moment.

### [XXIII: The Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/chapters/xxiii-the-will)

Recovers from the explosion and recounts his confrontation with the Black Sailor; helps Ted and Ivy with their inheritance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters/dr_priestley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_murders_in_praed_street_se/characters