# Mr. Tartar — The Mystery of Edwin Drood character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Tartar, Behold Mr. Tartar

**First appearance:** 0017-xviii-a-settler-in-cloisterham

## Snapshot

A retired naval officer with a sunny disposition and a flower garden, whose quiet kindness to Neville Landless makes him an unexpected ally in a town full of watchers.

## Who they are

Tartar is the retired sailor who lives in the chambers above Neville Landless in London, a man so genial that he offers to extend his flower garden to a stranger's windows. When Grewgious needs a discreet place for Rosa and Helena to meet, Tartar's rooms and his unflappable good nature make him the natural choice. He matters because his simple decency offers Neville a rare friendship and gives the novel's beleaguered characters a safe harbor.

## In the story

### [A Recognition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xxi-a-recognition)

A former sailor and old schoolmate of Crisparkle. He offers his chambers for Rosa to meet Helena, and escorts Rosa to his rooms, impressing her with his strength and kindness.

### [A Gritty State of Things Comes On](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xxii-a-gritty-state-of-things-comes-on)

Has given up his rooms for Rosa's use and has agreed to help by making contact with Neville.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mr_tartar
- 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