# Henderson — The War of the Worlds character guide

> Henderson in The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** poor Henderson

**First appearance:** 0006-iii-on-horsell-common

## Who they are

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

## Relationships

### [The Artilleryman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/characters/the_artilleryman)

_social_

Henderson and the Artilleryman meet briefly during the early stages of the invasion, sharing information about the Martian threat.

### [Stent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/characters/stent)

_professional_

Henderson and Stent collaborate as part of the scientific and journalistic response to the Martian landing.

### [The Martians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/characters/the_martians)

_rivalry_

Henderson reports on the Martians and is ultimately killed by their heat-ray, making him a victim of the invasion.

### [Miss Elphinstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/characters/miss_elphinstone)

_social_

Henderson and Miss Elphinstone cross paths briefly in the chaos, but their interaction is minimal.

### [The Artilleryman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/characters/the_artilleryman)

_social_

Henderson and the Artilleryman meet briefly during the early stages of the invasion, sharing information about the Martian threat.

## In the story

### [The War of the Worlds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/chapters/ii-the-falling-star)

London journalist who is informed by Ogilvy and helps spread the news.

### [On Horsell Common](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/chapters/iii-on-horsell-common)

Present at the pit with Ogilvy and Stent, assisting with the excavation.

### [V: The Heat-Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/chapters/vi-the-heat-ray-in-the-chobham-road)

Sends a messenger to the post office with a wire to an evening paper.

### [Friday Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/chapters/viii-friday-night)

His telegram about the cylinder is dismissed as a canard; he is later killed.

### [IX: The Fighting Begins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/chapters/ix-the-fighting-begins)

Mentioned as among the dead on the common.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/characters/henderson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_war_of_the_worlds_se/characters