# Edwin Drood — The Mystery of Edwin Drood character guide

> Edwin Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** young Drood, Edwin, Master Edwin, Ned, Edwin Drood, Mr. Edwin Drood, Eddy, Mr. Drood, Master Eddy, Dear Eddy, Edward

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-dawn

## Who they are

Easygoing young engineer bound for Egypt and an inherited share in a firm, Edwin is engaged to Rosa less by love than by a promise made over his cradle.

## Relationships

### [Rosa Bud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/rosa_bud)

_romantic_

Edwin and Rosa are betrothed by their parents' arrangement, but their relationship is more like siblings, with mutual affection but no passion.

### [John Jasper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/john_jasper)

_family_

Edwin is Jasper's nephew, and Jasper feigns affection while secretly plotting his murder out of jealousy over Rosa.

### [Neville Landless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/neville_landless)

_rivalry_

Edwin and Neville initially clash over Rosa, but later reconcile and become friends before Edwin's disappearance.

### [Rosa Bud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/rosa_bud)

_romantic_

Edwin and Rosa are betrothed by their parents' arrangement, but their relationship is more like siblings, with mutual affection but no passion.

### [Rosa Bud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/rosa_bud)

_romantic_

Edwin and Rosa are betrothed by their parents' arrangement, but their relationship is more like siblings, with mutual affection but no passion.

### [John Jasper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/john_jasper)

_family_

Edwin is Jasper's nephew, and Jasper feigns affection while secretly plotting his murder out of jealousy over Rosa.

### [Neville Landless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/neville_landless)

_rivalry_

Edwin and Neville initially clash over Rosa, but later reconcile and become friends before Edwin's disappearance.

### [Neville Landless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/neville_landless)

_rivalry_

Edwin and Neville initially clash over Rosa, but later reconcile and become friends before Edwin's disappearance.

### [John Jasper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/john_jasper)

_family_

Edwin is Jasper's nephew, and Jasper feigns affection while secretly plotting his murder out of jealousy over Rosa.

## In the story

### [II: A Dean, and a Chapter Also](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/ii-a-dean-and-a-chapter-also)

Arrives at Jasper's gatehouse; lively and affectionate; complains about his arranged engagement to Rosa.

### [The Nuns' House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/iii-the-nuns-house)

Visits Rosa at the Nuns' House, but their meeting is marked by frustration and disagreement, highlighting the growing rift between them.

### [Mr. Durdles and Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/v-mr-durdles-and-friend)

Mentioned as Jasper's nephew, asleep and untroubled as Jasper stands over him.

### [Philanthropy in Minor Canon Corner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/vi-philanthropy-in-minor-canon-corner)

Jasper's nephew, invited to the dinner to meet the Landless siblings.

### [VIII: Daggers Drawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/viii-daggers-drawn)

Dismissive of his engagement to Rosa, provoking Neville with condescension and boasts about painting Helena.

### [IX: Birds in the Bush](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/ix-birds-in-the-bush)

Discussed in the context of the quarrel with Neville and his engagement to Rosa, which is the subject of Mr. Grewgious's visit.

### [X: Smoothing the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/x-smoothing-the-way)

Writes a letter agreeing to shake hands with Neville at Christmas Eve dinner.

### [A Picture and a Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xi-a-picture-and-a-ring)

Receives the ring with visible unease and hesitation, hinting at his inner conflict about the engagement.

### [XIII: Both at Their Best](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xiii-both-at-their-best)

Agrees to the breakup, feels uneasy, and decides to return the ring to Grewgious.

### [When Shall These Three Meet Again?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xiv-when-shall-these-three-meet-again)

Mentioned as having gone to the river with Neville and not returned.

### [XX: A Flight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xx-a-flight)

His disappearance and the mystery surrounding it are central to Rosa's fears and suspicions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/edwin_drood
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters