The War of the Worlds · Character

Henderson

A journalist who reports the landing and is killed by the Martians.

minor

Also known as poor Henderson

Henderson's tie to The Artilleryman is one of the pressures that moves The War of the Worlds—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Henderson is present at the common and is killed during the Heat-Ray massacre.

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See Henderson in The War of the Worlds Book page

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With The Artilleryman (social): Henderson and the Artilleryman meet briefly during the early stages of the invasion, sharing information about the Martian threat. With Stent (professional): Henderson and Stent collaborate as part of the scientific and journalistic response to the Martian landing. With The Martians (rivalry): Henderson reports on the Martians and is ultimately killed by their heat-ray, making him a victim of the invasion.

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The fuller portrait of Henderson sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Henderson in On Horsell Common

Character Web

5 connections

A slice of how Henderson sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Professional
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Early victims of invasion
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, the narrator reaches his emotional and psychological nadir as he wanders through a corpse-lit…

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Relationships

The Artilleryman
social · ambivalent
Henderson and the Artilleryman meet briefly during the early stages of the invasion,… How this plays out →
Stent
professional · positive
The Martians
rivalry · negative
Miss Elphinstone
social · ambivalent
The Artilleryman
social · ambivalent
Henderson and the Artilleryman meet briefly during the early stages of the invasion,… How this plays out →

The Artilleryman
Henderson and the Artilleryman meet briefly during the early stages of the invasion, sharing information about the Martian threat.
Stent
Henderson and Stent collaborate as part of the scientific and journalistic response to the Martian landing.
The Martians
Henderson reports on the Martians and is ultimately killed by their heat-ray, making him a victim of the invasion.
Miss Elphinstone
Henderson and Miss Elphinstone cross paths briefly in the chaos, but their interaction is minimal.
The Artilleryman
Henderson and the Artilleryman meet briefly during the early stages of the invasion, sharing information about the Martian threat.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Henderson in On Horsell Common

In the story

Henderson appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The War of the Worlds
Henderson is present at the common and is killed during the Heat-Ray massacre.
Book I: The Coming of the Martians
Henderson is mentioned as a witness to the Martian arrival and is killed during the attack.
II: The Falling Star
London journalist who is informed by Ogilvy and helps spread the news.
On Horsell Common
Present at the pit with Ogilvy and Stent, assisting with the excavation.
V: The Heat-Ray
Part of the deputation approaching the Martians with a white flag; presumed killed by the heat-ray.
VI: The Heat-Ray in the Chobham Road
Sends a messenger to the post office with a wire to an evening paper.
Friday Night
His telegram about the cylinder is dismissed as a canard; he is later killed.
IX: The Fighting Begins
Mentioned as among the dead on the common.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Henderson unlock in the free preview.

See Henderson in On Horsell Common

See Henderson in The War of the Worlds