# Brookings — The Skylark of Space character guide

> Brookings in The Skylark of Space by E. E. Smith.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Brookings, fool Brookings, Steel, Brookings of Steel

**First appearance:** 0001-ii-steel-becomes-interested

## Who they are

The corrupt president of Steel Industries, who tries to bury Seaton's invention with sabotage and lawyers before the Skylark ever leaves the ground.

## Relationships

### [Marc DuQuesne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/marc_duquesne)

_professional_

Brookings is a corrupt government official who collaborates with DuQuesne for mutual benefit.

### [Richard Seaton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/richard_seaton)

_rivalry_

Brookings is a political enemy of Richard Seaton, working to undermine him.

### [Martin Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/martin_crane)

_rivalry_

Brookings is an enemy of Martin Crane, opposing his scientific and personal goals.

### [Marc DuQuesne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/marc_duquesne)

_professional_

Brookings is a corrupt government official who collaborates with DuQuesne for mutual benefit.

### [Marc DuQuesne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/marc_duquesne)

_professional_

Brookings is a corrupt government official who collaborates with DuQuesne for mutual benefit.

### [Martin Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/martin_crane)

_rivalry_

Brookings is an enemy of Martin Crane, opposing his scientific and personal goals.

### [Martin Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/martin_crane)

_rivalry_

Brookings is an enemy of Martin Crane, opposing his scientific and personal goals.

### [Richard Seaton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/richard_seaton)

_rivalry_

Brookings is a political enemy of Richard Seaton, working to undermine him.

### [Richard Seaton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/richard_seaton)

_rivalry_

Brookings is a political enemy of Richard Seaton, working to undermine him.

## In the story

### [Steel Becomes Interested](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/ii-steel-becomes-interested)

Brookings, head of the Washington branch of the World Steel Corporation, is initially skeptical but becomes convinced of the discovery's value and considers DuQuesne's proposal.

### [Steel Liberates Energy—Unexpectedly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/iv-steel-liberates-energy-unexpectedly)

Confronts DuQuesne about the explosion, agrees to his terms, and orders a burglary of Crane's house.

### [V: Direct Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/v-direct-action)

Mentioned by DuQuesne as having foolishly warned Crane, leading to the concealment of the solution.

### [VI: The Object-Compass at Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/vi-the-object-compass-at-work)

Conspires with DuQuesne and Perkins to obtain the solution and eliminate threats.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/brookings
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters