The Professor’s House · Character

Professor St. Peter

A middle-aged history professor who retreats to his shadowy attic study, measuring the distance between his family's new prosperity and his own dwindling sense of purpose.

major

Also known as Godfrey, Godfrey St. Peter, St. Peter, Professor, Doctor St. Peter, Doctor

First appearance: The Professor's House

As a major figure in The Professor’s House, Professor St. Peter is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Alone in his old house, reflecting on his life and the changes brought by the family's move.

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Godfrey St. Peter has spent decades building his eight-volume Spanish history and a household that now feels foreign to him. When his daughters marry into money and his wife turns her energies toward their sons-in-law, he finds himself withdrawing into the old house and the solitary habits of a scholar. His quiet refusal to move forward—symbolized by his refusal to abandon his cramped study—sets the emotional stakes for everything that follows.

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Character Web

28 connections

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Tom Outland’s solitary return to the mesa after Blake’s disappearance marks the emotional peak of his grief an…

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In the story

Professor St. Peter appears across 26 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Professor's House
Alone in his old house, reflecting on his life and the changes brought by the family's move. He is emotionally attached to his old study and feels displaced by the new house.
Book I: The Family
Feels alienated from his family, contemplates his past and mortality.
I
Alone in the dismantled house, reflecting on his past and reluctant to move.
II
Dressing for dinner, he engages in a tense conversation with Lillian about his intolerance toward his sons-in-law. He feels his forbearance is overstrained.
III
Reflects on his marriage and Tom Outland's impact, negotiates with his landlord, and argues with Lillian about Louie.
IV
Tired from the academic year, he refuses Rosamond's offer of money from Outland's estate, valuing his friendship with Outland above material gain.
V
Delivers a lecture on science and human development, then goes swimming with Scott McGregor; expresses resignation about the naming of the Marsellus estate.
VI
Observes Lillian's coquetry with her sons-in-law and reflects on his own marriage; advises against Louie's club membership.
VII
Observes Rosamond's new fur and later comforts Kathleen, trying to dissuade her from envy.
VIII
Enjoys the opera and reflects on his past with Lillian; stubbornly continues to use his old study despite the cold.
IX
Spends Christmas Day alone in his old study, working and reflecting on past holidays and memories of Paris. He has a conversation with Augusta about the Magnificat and later joins the family dinner.
Chapter X
Reflects on the early years with Tom and the family, remembering the charm of those times.
XI
Works in his study, discusses Augusta's loss, plans to cover it, and reminisces about Tom Outland.
XII
Meets with Mrs. Crane to discuss the Outland patent and considers how to help Dr. Crane.
Chapter XIII
Visits Dr. Crane to discuss the patent dispute, feeling depressed and disillusioned afterward.
XIV
Accompanies Rosamond to Chicago, feels exhausted and listless, pays for the trip himself, and reflects on Euripides' retreat from houses.
XV
Feels tired and withdrawn, declines the France trip, reflects on his past and his relationship with his family.
Chapter XVI
Mediates between Louie and Rosamond, defends Scott, apologizes for Rosamond's behavior.
XVII
Alone for the summer, he plans to edit Tom Outland's diary and reflects on Tom's character and his wife's jealousy.
Book II: Tom Outland's Story
The listener to Tom's story, deeply moved by the narrative.
Book III: The Professor
The central figure, deeply reflective and isolated in his old study, contemplating his life and work.
I
Reflects on his life, his two romances, and the influence of Tom Outland. Regrets not taking the Paris trip with Outland.
II
Reflects on his life, feels indifferent to his achievements, and experiences a reversion to his original self.
Chapter III
Visits Dr. Dudley for a check-up, feeling tired and convinced he is near death. He enjoys solitude and contemplates the future, preferring the Southwest over France.
IV
Feels desperate for solitude, reflects on his alienation from family, and nearly dies from gas in his study.
V
Recovering from gas asphyxiation, reflecting on his life and Augusta's influence.

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