# Martin Crane — The Skylark of Space character guide > Martin Crane in The Skylark of Space by E. E. Smith. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mart, Crane, the keen-minded Crane, Mr. Crane, Martin Crane, Mr. Martin Crane, Karfedix Crane, M. Reynolds Crane, the M. Reynolds Crane, the great M. Reynolds Crane, Mr. Reynolds Crane **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-occurrence-of-the-impossible ## Who they are A quiet, blue-blooded industrialist who bankrolls his friend's impossible dream, trading his fortune and his composure for a berth on the Skylark. ## Relationships ### [Richard Seaton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/richard_seaton) _friendship_ Martin and Richard are close friends and scientific collaborators, sharing a strong mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Dorothy Vaneman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/dorothy_vaneman) _friendship_ Dorothy and Martin share a warm, platonic friendship as part of the core group of allies. ### [Margaret Spencer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/margaret_spencer) _romantic_ Margaret and Martin are romantically involved, with a loving and supportive relationship. ### [Marc DuQuesne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/marc_duquesne) _rivalry_ DuQuesne and Crane are enemies, with Crane opposing DuQuesne's schemes. ### [Brookings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/brookings) _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) _friendship_ Martin and Richard are close friends and scientific collaborators, sharing a strong mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Richard Seaton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/richard_seaton) _friendship_ Martin and Richard are close friends and scientific collaborators, sharing a strong mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Margaret Spencer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/margaret_spencer) _romantic_ Margaret and Martin are romantically involved, with a loving and supportive relationship. ### [Dorothy Vaneman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/dorothy_vaneman) _friendship_ Dorothy and Martin share a warm, platonic friendship as part of the core group of allies. ### [Marc DuQuesne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/marc_duquesne) _rivalry_ DuQuesne and Crane are enemies, with Crane opposing DuQuesne's schemes. ### [Margaret Spencer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/margaret_spencer) _romantic_ Margaret and Martin are romantically involved, with a loving and supportive relationship. ### [Dorothy Vaneman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/dorothy_vaneman) _friendship_ Dorothy and Martin share a warm, platonic friendship as part of the core group of allies. ## In the story ### [Steel Becomes Interested](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/ii-steel-becomes-interested) Crane is mentioned as Seaton's wealthy friend and backer, whose involvement convinces DuQuesne of the discovery's legitimacy. ### [III: Seaton Solves the Problem of Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/iii-seaton-solves-the-problem-of-power) Provides laboratory space and visits Dorothy to explain Seaton's situation. ### [Steel Liberates Energy—Unexpectedly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/iv-steel-liberates-energy-unexpectedly) Plans commercial applications, discusses the flyer's design, and listens to Seaton's discoveries. ### [V: Direct Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/v-direct-action) Returns with Seaton, arranges medical care and police investigation, offers a million-dollar reward. Later builds the object-compass and assists in testing the X-plosive bullet. ### [VI: The Object-Compass at Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/vi-the-object-compass-at-work) Discusses the burglary with Prescott and Seaton; cautious about the reward's effectiveness. ### [VII: The Trial Voyage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/vii-the-trial-voyage) Calm and methodical; inspects the flawed forgings, plans the secret construction, and takes pride in the Skylark's success. ### [VIII: Indirect Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/viii-indirect-action) Calm and methodical, Crane balances Seaton's impulsiveness, insisting on adequate supplies and careful planning. ### [X: The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/x-the-rescue) Assists Seaton with navigation and calculations, suggests the automatic control for the power feed. ### [Through Space Into the Carboniferous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xi-through-space-into-the-carboniferous) Invents instruments, takes astronomical observations with Margaret, and suggests including DuQuesne to prevent him from plotting against them. ### [XII: The Mastery of Mind Over Matter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xii-the-mastery-of-mind-over-matter) Forces his body to retain consciousness to fight the entity mentally; later confesses his love to Margaret Spencer, declaring her his future wife. ### [XIII: Nalboon of Mardonale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xiii-nalboon-of-mardonale) Cautiously advises Seaton during the encounter and helps rescue the slaves from execution. ### [XIV: Nalboon Unmasked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xiv-nalboon-unmasked) Suggests waiting comfortably and asks questions about Osnome; expresses doubt about Dunark's knowledge of Nalboon's plans. ### [XV: The Escape from Mardonale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xv-the-escape-from-mardonale) Comforts Margaret, agrees to a double marriage on Osnome. ### [An Osnomian Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xvi-an-osnomian-marriage) Participates in the double wedding, marrying Margaret Spencer. ### [Bird, Beast, or Fish?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xvii-bird-beast-or-fish) Calculates depth and pressure, fires the X-plosive bullet, and comments on the value of the jewels. ### [The Invasion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xviii-the-invasion) Operates a machine-gun during the battle, sends reassuring messages to the women, and takes the first observation shift after departure. ### [XIX: The Return to Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xix-the-return-to-earth) Calculates the course to Washington, discovers DuQuesne's escape, and is deeply moved upon seeing the landing lights of Crane Field. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/martin_crane - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters