# Markham — Theodore Savage character guide

> Markham in Theodore Savage by Cicely Hamilton.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0002-iii

## Snapshot

A supporting figure in Theodore's pre-war office life, part of the ordinary professional world that the collapse of civilization will erase.

## Who they are

Markham exists in the background of Theodore's working life, one of the colleagues and acquaintances who populate the ordered London existence before the outbreak. He represents the mundane social fabric, the daily routines and hierarchies that seem permanent until war and famine dissolve them. His presence in the early narrative underscores what is lost when Theodore is reduced to prowling for food and avoiding strangers.

## Relationships

### [Theodore Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/theodore_savage)

_rivalry_

Markham is a bitter antagonist to Theodore, often opposing him out of jealousy and personal vendetta.

### [Holt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/holt)

_professional_

Holt serves as Markham's subordinate or ally in their shared professional or military duties.

### [Vallance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/vallance)

_professional_

Markham and Vallance are colleagues or co-conspirators in a military or bureaucratic setting.

### [Meyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/meyer)

_professional_

Markham and Meyer are associates in a military or administrative context, often coordinating tasks.

### [Phillida Rathbone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/phillida_rathbone)

_social_

Markham and Phillida know each other through shared social networks, with no deep connection.

### [Holt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/holt)

_professional_

Holt serves as Markham's subordinate or ally in their shared professional or military duties.

### [Theodore Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/theodore_savage)

_rivalry_

Markham is a bitter antagonist to Theodore, often opposing him out of jealousy and personal vendetta.

### [Vallance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/vallance)

_professional_

Markham and Vallance are colleagues or co-conspirators in a military or bureaucratic setting.

### [Theodore Savage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/theodore_savage)

_rivalry_

Markham is a bitter antagonist to Theodore, often opposing him out of jealousy and personal vendetta.

### [Meyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/meyer)

_professional_

Markham and Meyer are associates in a military or administrative context, often coordinating tasks.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/chapters/i)

Mentioned as a character in the context of the Distribution Office, but not directly featured in this chapter.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/chapters/ii)

Markham delivers a cynical analysis of human nature and politics, arguing that war is a periodic necessity driven by the herd instinct, and that politicians are instruments of mass emotion.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/chapters/iii)

Quoted by Theodore regarding 'the passion for self-sacrifice' as a cause of war.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/chapters/iv)

Argues that science and war cannot coexist; laments the failure to foresee technology's destructive potential; has been taken over by military for chemical research.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/chapters/viii)

Theodore briefly remembers Markham and the Westminster chimes from the past.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/chapters/xviii)

Markham is recalled by Theodore in a memory, standing on the crest of the centuries on the night the crest curled over, symbolizing the collapse of civilization.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters/markham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/theodore_savage_se/characters