# Captain Ralph Kinnison — Triplanetary character guide

> Captain Ralph Kinnison in Triplanetary by E. E. Smith.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Ralph Kinnison, Ralph, Captain Ralph K. Kinnison, Doctor Kinnison, Doctor Ralph K. Kinnison

**First appearance:** 0017-vii-pirates-of-space

## Who they are

A Triplanetary captain who fights pirates with layered torpedo tactics, coolly gambling that his second shot will make the target a sitting duck for his gunner.

## Relationships

### [Thomas Keller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/thomas_keller)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Thomas Keller have a military or command relationship, with Keller likely serving under Kinnison.

### [Major Moulton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/major_moulton)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Major Moulton have a military chain-of-command relationship, with Moulton as a superior or peer.

### [Tugwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/tugwell)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Tugwell have a subordinate or crew relationship, with Tugwell serving under Kinnison's command.

### [Conway Costigan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/conway_costigan)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Conway Costigan are fellow officers or operatives, cooperating on missions.

### [Barton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/barton)

_professional_

Barton and Captain Ralph Kinnison have a subordinate or crew relationship, with Barton likely serving under Kinnison.

### [Thomas Keller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/thomas_keller)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Thomas Keller have a military or command relationship, with Keller likely serving under Kinnison.

### [Major Moulton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/major_moulton)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Major Moulton have a military chain-of-command relationship, with Moulton as a superior or peer.

### [Thomas Keller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/thomas_keller)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Thomas Keller have a military or command relationship, with Keller likely serving under Kinnison.

### [Major Moulton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/major_moulton)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Major Moulton have a military chain-of-command relationship, with Moulton as a superior or peer.

### [Tugwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/tugwell)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Tugwell have a subordinate or crew relationship, with Tugwell serving under Kinnison's command.

### [Conway Costigan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/conway_costigan)

_professional_

Captain Ralph Kinnison and Conway Costigan are fellow officers or operatives, cooperating on missions.

### [Barton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/barton)

_professional_

Barton and Captain Ralph Kinnison have a subordinate or crew relationship, with Barton likely serving under Kinnison.

## In the story

### [Triplanetary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/triplanetary)

A human ancestor of the Kinnison line, whose actions in World War I and later events are part of the Arisian breeding program.

### [Book I: Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/book-i-dawn)

Mentioned as a pivotal human ancestor in the Arisian plan.

### [Book II: The World War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/book-ii-the-world-war)

Central human protagonist; a Triplanetary officer involved in World War I operations.

### [1918](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/iv-1918)

The protagonist; an American pilot shot down, wounded, and hospitalized during WWI.

### [1941](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/v-1941)

Main protagonist; learns of Pearl Harbor, seeks military service but is rejected, takes a chemistry job, builds the 'Siberians' team, uncovers a fatal defect in mines, and confronts President Black over corruption.

### [The Super-Ship Is Launched](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xiv-the-super-ship-is-launched)

Commissioner of Public Safety; reports the Nevian attack and coordinates the emergency response.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters/captain_ralph_kinnison
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/triplanetary_se/characters