# Humphrey Lathrop — The Place Called Dagon character guide > Humphrey Lathrop in The Place Called Dagon by Herbert Gorman. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Humphrey, Lathrop, Doctor Humphrey Lathrop, Doctor Lathrop, Old Doctor Lathrop **First appearance:** 0001-the-place-called-dagon ## Snapshot A mountainous, applejack-drinking country doctor who has spent years keeping Marlborough's oldest secret at arm's length, until Dreeme forces his hand. ## Who they are Lathrop is the elder physician whose bulk, three chins, and wheedling manner mask a long and deliberate silence about the town's history. He warns Dreeme away from the subject, then capitulates, pulling down a dusty Cotton Mather and admitting he has carried suspicions for years. His reluctant testimony is the hinge on which the early mystery swings from local gossip into something older and darker. ## Relationships ### [Doctor Dreeme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/doctor_dreeme) _psychological_ Doctor Dreeme exerts a powerful, obsessive influence over Humphrey, who is drawn into Dreeme's dark world and secrets. ### [Martha Westcott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/martha_westcott) _romantic_ Humphrey is romantically interested in Martha, but she is emotionally entangled with Doctor Dreeme, creating a love triangle. ### [Lucinda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/lucinda) _friendship_ Humphrey and Lucinda share a supportive friendship, with Lucinda often providing him counsel and comfort. ### [Jeffrey Westcott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/jeffrey_westcott) _friendship_ Humphrey and Jeffrey are allies, working together to uncover Doctor Dreeme's secrets and protect Martha. ### [Peleg Carrier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/peleg_carrier) _professional_ Humphrey interacts with Peleg Carrier, a local tradesman, in the course of his investigations. ### [Doctor Dreeme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/doctor_dreeme) _psychological_ Doctor Dreeme exerts a powerful, obsessive influence over Humphrey, who is drawn into Dreeme's dark world and secrets. ### [Doctor Dreeme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/doctor_dreeme) _psychological_ Doctor Dreeme exerts a powerful, obsessive influence over Humphrey, who is drawn into Dreeme's dark world and secrets. ### [Martha Westcott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/martha_westcott) _romantic_ Humphrey is romantically interested in Martha, but she is emotionally entangled with Doctor Dreeme, creating a love triangle. ### [Peleg Carrier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/peleg_carrier) _professional_ Humphrey interacts with Peleg Carrier, a local tradesman, in the course of his investigations. ### [Jeffrey Westcott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/jeffrey_westcott) _friendship_ Humphrey and Jeffrey are allies, working together to uncover Doctor Dreeme's secrets and protect Martha. ### [Lucinda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/lucinda) _friendship_ Humphrey and Lucinda share a supportive friendship, with Lucinda often providing him counsel and comfort. ### [Lucinda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/lucinda) _friendship_ Humphrey and Lucinda share a supportive friendship, with Lucinda often providing him counsel and comfort. ## In the story ### [The Place Called Dagon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/the-place-called-dagon) Accompanies Dreeme on the journey, providing knowledge of the valley's witchcraft history. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) The older doctor and Dreeme's mentor, who hints at the valley's unusual history and the 'curious breed of Puritan' that settled there. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as having hinted at the town's peculiar nature, influencing Dreeme's thoughts. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) The old, wise, and evasive doctor who shares philosophical theories about the past and fanaticism but refuses to give Dreeme a direct answer. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) The old doctor advises Dreeme to give up the investigation, reflecting the community's resistance. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) Lathrop is mentioned as someone who might be right about Dreeme troubling his mind with unnecessary thoughts. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/i) Dreeme seeks him out as a wise ally who might help him understand the events in Marlborough. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ii) Reveals the valley's history of witchcraft and the origins of its towns. He advises Dreeme to leave the valley, expressing his own despair at being trapped there. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/ix) Provides historical context about the valley's witchcraft past, deepening Dreeme's understanding of the community's secrets. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/chapters/iii) The ancient oracle, Lathrop defends the farmers, jokes about Dreeme's youth, and orders applejack for the group. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters/humphrey_lathrop - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_place_called_dagon_se/characters