# Dr. Crane — The Professor’s House character guide

> Dr. Crane in The Professor’s House by Willa Cather.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Crane, Professor Crane, Doctor Crane

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

A physics colleague of St. Peter's who lent Tom Outland laboratory space and help, and whose wife now pursues a claim on Tom's estate.

## Who they are

Dr. Crane is a poor, ailing scientist whose health has crippled the family finances and whose quiet assistance to Tom Outland went formally unrecognized in Tom's will. His wife speaks for him—without his knowledge—insisting that Tom could never have worked out his theory without Robert's help. His situation embodies the novel's uncomfortable question of who deserves credit for another man's invention, and his wife's visit becomes one of the pressures closing in on the Professor.

## Relationships

### [Tom Outland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/characters/tom_outland)

_rivalry_

Dr. Crane is a rival scholar who feels cheated by Tom's use of his research, leading to bitter conflict over credit and discovery.

### [Tom Outland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/characters/tom_outland)

_rivalry_

Dr. Crane is a rival scholar who feels cheated by Tom's use of his research, leading to bitter conflict over credit and discovery.

## In the story

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/xii)

His health and financial struggles are the reason for Mrs. Crane's visit.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/chapters/xiii)

Defends his claim to Outland's patent profits, admitting his interest is now financial.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/characters/dr_crane
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_professor_s_house_se/characters