# Septimus Crisparkle — The Mystery of Edwin Drood character guide > Septimus Crisparkle in The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Crisparkle, Minor Canon, the good Minor Canon, Crisparkle, Canon, the Reverend Septimus Crisparkle, the Reverend Septimus, Septimus, Reverend Mr. Septimus, the Reverend Mr. Septimus, the Rev. Mr. Septimus **First appearance:** 0001-ii-a-dean-and-a-chapter-also ## Snapshot The athletic, hawk-eyed Minor Canon of Cloisterham, whose warm heart and unshakable faith in his pupil Neville Landless make him both a protector and a man haunted by doubt. ## Who they are Crisparkle is the good clergyman of Cloisterham, a muscular Christian who takes the hot-tempered Neville Landless under his roof and defends him against suspicion. His loyalty is his virtue and his vulnerability: he cannot believe his pupil capable of violence, yet the town's whispers and his own restless night walks to the Weir betray a mind that will not let him rest. He matters because he stands between Neville and the growing suspicion that will shape the novel's central mystery. ## Relationships ### [Neville Landless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/neville_landless) _friendship_ Crisparkle acts as Neville's mentor and defender, guiding him through the suspicion surrounding Edwin's disappearance. ### [John Jasper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/john_jasper) _professional_ Jasper and Crisparkle interact as fellow professionals in the cathedral community, with Jasper's sinister nature hidden beneath civility. ### [Helena Landless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/helena_landless) _friendship_ Helena and Crisparkle share a mutual respect and alliance, working together to protect Neville and seek justice. ### [Mr. Honeythunder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mr_honeythunder) _professional_ Honeythunder is a loud philanthropist and Neville's guardian, clashing with Crisparkle over Neville's upbringing and fate. ### [Neville Landless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/neville_landless) _friendship_ Crisparkle acts as Neville's mentor and defender, guiding him through the suspicion surrounding Edwin's disappearance. ### [John Jasper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/john_jasper) _professional_ Jasper and Crisparkle interact as fellow professionals in the cathedral community, with Jasper's sinister nature hidden beneath civility. ### [Neville Landless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/neville_landless) _friendship_ Crisparkle acts as Neville's mentor and defender, guiding him through the suspicion surrounding Edwin's disappearance. ### [Helena Landless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/helena_landless) _friendship_ Helena and Crisparkle share a mutual respect and alliance, working together to protect Neville and seek justice. ### [John Jasper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/john_jasper) _professional_ Jasper and Crisparkle interact as fellow professionals in the cathedral community, with Jasper's sinister nature hidden beneath civility. ### [Mr. Honeythunder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mr_honeythunder) _professional_ Honeythunder is a loud philanthropist and Neville's guardian, clashing with Crisparkle over Neville's upbringing and fate. ### [Mr. Honeythunder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/mr_honeythunder) _professional_ Honeythunder is a loud philanthropist and Neville's guardian, clashing with Crisparkle over Neville's upbringing and fate. ### [Helena Landless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/helena_landless) _friendship_ Helena and Crisparkle share a mutual respect and alliance, working together to protect Neville and seek justice. ## 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) Visits Jasper on behalf of the Dean; described as a good-natured, boy-like Minor Canon. ### [Philanthropy in Minor Canon Corner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/vi-philanthropy-in-minor-canon-corner) The good Minor Canon, who boxes in the morning and plans a welcoming dinner for the Landless siblings. ### [VII: More Confidences Than One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/vii-more-confidences-than-one) Listens to Neville's confession, offers guidance, and shows concern for his moral development. ### [X: Smoothing the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/x-smoothing-the-way) Acts as a peacemaker, visiting Jasper and urging Neville to apologize. ### [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) Observes Neville's preparations, comments on the stick's weight, and later speaks with Jasper about his improved spirits. ### [XV: Impeached](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xv-impeached) Accompanies Neville and protests against his committal, undertaking for his remaining in his own house. ### [XVI: Devoted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xvi-devoted) Struggles with his conscience over suppressing details about Neville's temper and jealousy, and takes a troubled night walk to the Weir. ### [XVII: Philanthropy, Professional and Unprofessional](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xvii-philanthropy-professional-and-unprofessional) Visits the Haven of Philanthropy and confronts Mr. Honeythunder, defending Neville Landless and criticizing the aggressive methods of professional philanthropists. ### [XIX: Shadow on the Sundial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xix-shadow-on-the-sundial) Mentioned as the one who knows Jasper's written vow to find the murderer, and who believes Neville innocent. ### [A Recognition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xxi-a-recognition) The Minor Canon who came from Cloisterham to help. He is reunited with his old schoolmate Mr. Tartar, who once saved him from drowning. ### [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) Facilitating communication between the group, seeking Mr. Grewgious's advice, and supporting the plan to involve Mr. Tartar. ### [XXIII: The Dawn Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/chapters/xxiii-the-dawn-again) Meets Jasper daily but never discusses Edwin Drood; remains Neville's advocate and protector, though he is perplexed by Jasper's reticence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_of_edwin_drood_se/characters/septimus_crisparkle - 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