# Richard Seaton — The Skylark of Space character guide > Richard Seaton in The Skylark of Space by E. E. Smith. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dick, Seaton, Dick Seaton, Dr. Seaton, Dr. Dick Seaton, Richard B. Seaton, Richard Ballinger Seaton, Seaton V Direct Action Seaton, the Karfedix Seaton, the Karfedix, Karfedix Seaton, Karfedo Seaton, noble Karfedo **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-occurrence-of-the-impossible ## Who they are A brilliant, impulsive chemist who cracks the secret of atomic power and bets everything on a homemade spaceship, dragging his best friend and his fiancée into the void. ## Relationships ### [Dorothy Vaneman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/dorothy_vaneman) _romantic_ Dorothy and Richard are deeply in love, with a romantic bond that drives much of the story's emotional core. ### [Martin Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/martin_crane) _friendship_ Martin and Richard are close friends and scientific collaborators, sharing a strong mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Marc DuQuesne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/marc_duquesne) _rivalry_ Marc DuQuesne is Richard's primary antagonist, a brilliant and ruthless rival in both science and personal ambition. ### [Margaret Spencer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/margaret_spencer) _friendship_ Margaret is a loyal friend and ally to Richard, often supporting his endeavors. ### [Dunark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/dunark) _friendship_ Dunark becomes a loyal alien ally and friend to Richard Seaton after initial conflict. ### [Nalboon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/nalboon) _rivalry_ Nalboon is an alien ruler who initially opposes and fights Richard Seaton. ### [Brookings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/brookings) _rivalry_ Brookings is a political enemy of Richard Seaton, working to undermine him. ### [Prescott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/prescott) _rivalry_ Prescott is an antagonist to Richard Seaton, aligned with DuQuesne's faction. ### [Martin Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/martin_crane) _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) _romantic_ Dorothy and Richard are deeply in love, with a romantic bond that drives much of the story's emotional core. ### [Martin Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/martin_crane) _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) _romantic_ Dorothy and Richard are deeply in love, with a romantic bond that drives much of the story's emotional core. ## In the story ### [The Occurrence of the Impossible](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/i-the-occurrence-of-the-impossible) Discovers intra-atomic energy and plans to develop it for space exploration. ### [Steel Becomes Interested](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/ii-steel-becomes-interested) Seaton is discussed as the discoverer of the new element and the target of DuQuesne's plot, admired for his cleverness in concealing the discovery. ### [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) Works tirelessly on his power problem, neglecting Dorothy until Crane intervenes. ### [Steel Liberates Energy—Unexpectedly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/iv-steel-liberates-energy-unexpectedly) Demonstrates the model flyer, discusses findings with Crane, and interacts with Dorothy. ### [V: Direct Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/v-direct-action) Returns to find Shiro wounded; enraged, he vows revenge. Later works with Crane on the object-compass and tests 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) Suspects DuQuesne of the burglary and is determined to protect his discovery. ### [VII: The Trial Voyage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/vii-the-trial-voyage) Exultant after the successful flight around the Moon; shows deep affection for Dorothy and pride in the Skylark. ### [VIII: Indirect Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/viii-indirect-action) Furious and impatient, Seaton drives the preparations for the rescue of Dorothy, showing his determination and love. ### [X: The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/x-the-rescue) Drives the Skylark in pursuit, calculates trajectories, and engages in a power duel with DuQuesne to save Dorothy. ### [Through Space Into the Carboniferous](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xi-through-space-into-the-carboniferous) Leads the landing on the new planet, revives Dorothy after the accident, and proposes using DuQuesne for astronomy work. ### [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) Displays quick reflexes and courage, drawing and firing before the stranger can act; later engages in a mental battle with the entity, concentrating all his mental power to disrupt its calculations. ### [XIII: Nalboon of Mardonale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xiii-nalboon-of-mardonale) Leads the first contact with Nalboon, performs sleight-of-hand tricks, and decides to accept the slaves to save their lives. ### [XIV: Nalboon Unmasked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xiv-nalboon-unmasked) Awakens and is shaved by a slave; learns of Nalboon's plot from Dunark; agrees to escape plan; follows a slave to retrieve stolen items and knocks down an insolent guard officer. ### [XV: The Escape from Mardonale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xv-the-escape-from-mardonale) Leads the escape, uses a football plunge to disable guards, and proposes marriage to Dorothy. ### [An Osnomian Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xvi-an-osnomian-marriage) Awakens joyfully on his wedding day, takes a cold bath, and explains Osnomian religion to the group. ### [Bird, Beast, or Fish?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xvii-bird-beast-or-fish) Leads the pursuit of the karlon, operates the attractor, and discusses plans for platinum and faidon analysis. ### [The Invasion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xviii-the-invasion) Commands the Skylark during the battle, devises countermeasures against Mardonalian attacks, and later bids farewell to Dunark. ### [XIX: The Return to Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xix-the-return-to-earth) Pilots the Skylark back to Earth, confronts DuQuesne about his future, and joyfully reunites with Dorothy upon landing. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters/richard_seaton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/characters