Last and First Men · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon.
The Narrator
major
Also known as Unknown, our, ours, ourselves
The voice recounting the future history of humanity, often using 'we' and 'our'.
The Martians
major
Also known as Martians, The civilized Martians, exploring Martians
The intelligent inhabitants of Mars who invade Earth, nearly destroying the Second Men.
The First True Individual
major
Also known as the first true individual of the fourth human species
A unique Fourth Men who develops self-awareness and individuality, leading to a tragic end.
The Last Men
major
Also known as the Last Men, the Second Men, The Second Men, the bland Second Men
The final human species, highly evolved and telepathic, facing the end of humanity.
The Fifth Men
major
Also known as the Fifth Men, Evanescence The Fifth Men, The Cult of Evanescence The Fifth Men, the long-lived Fifth Men
A long-lived species that develops the cult of evanescence and explores time and space.
The First Men
major
Also known as the First Men, Men, The First Men at Bay
The original human species, whose history spans from primitive times to the First World State.
The Great Brains
major
Also known as The Great Brains
Enormous disembodied brains created by the Fourth Men, ruling through intellect and telepathy.
The Americans
supporting
Also known as Americans, Eminent Americans
A dominant nation in the early 20th century, later leading the Americanized planet.
The Fourth Men
supporting
Also known as the Fourth Men, the artificial Fourth Men
Artificial beings created by the Third Men, eventually producing the Great Brains.
The Sixteenth Men
minor
Also known as the Sixteenth Men, the Sixteenth
A later human species mentioned in the future history, part of the sequence of evolving humanity.
The Seventh Men
supporting
Also known as The Seventh Men, The winged Seventh
A winged human species that develops flight and a unique aerial culture.
The Patagonians
supporting
Also known as Patagonians, Youth The Patagonians, III The Cult of Youth The Patagonians
A warlike people who rise to power during the First Dark Age, known for their cult of youth.
The Racial Hero
minor
Also known as Their most adored racial hero
A legendary figure among the Fifth Men, embodying their ideals and aspirations.
America
supporting
Also known as America
The continent and nation that becomes a dominant power, later leading the Americanized planet.
The Mongol
minor
Also known as The Mongol, the Mongol
A historical conqueror whose legacy influences later human conflicts.
The Germans
supporting
Also known as the chastened Germans, the Germans, The Germans
A European nation involved in the wars that lead to Europe's downfall.
The Martian Individual
minor
Also known as Sexuality the Martian, Every Martian, every Martian, the Martian
A representative Martian, illustrating the unique psychology and society of Mars.
The Venerians
supporting
Also known as the Venerians
The human inhabitants of Venus, who adapt to a new world after Earth's destruction.
The English and French
minor
Also known as the English, French, English, The French, The English, the French and English, the French
European nations involved in the Anglo-French War and subsequent conflicts.
England
minor
Also known as England
A European nation, often personified in discussions of war and politics.
The Chinese
supporting
Also known as Chinese, the Chinese, The Chinese, the more old-fashioned Chinese
An Asian nation that rises to power and conflicts with America.
Gordelpus
minor
Also known as Gordelpus, the Divine Gordelpus
A divine or heroic figure worshipped by the Fifth Men, possibly a mythic founder.
The Martian Cloudlet
minor
Also known as the Martian, The Martian cloudlet
A small Martian entity or vessel, possibly a probe or scout.
Socrates
minor
Also known as Socrates
The ancient Greek philosopher, referenced as a model of early human thought.
The German
minor
Also known as The German
A representative German individual, possibly a leader or soldier in the wars.
The Italians
minor
Also known as the Italians, Italians
A European nation involved in the conflicts leading to Europe's downfall.
The Englishman
minor
Also known as The Englishman, the Englishman
A representative English individual, possibly a soldier or politician.
The Jews
minor
Also known as the Jews, The Jews
A people referenced in the context of European history and persecution.
Neptune
supporting
Also known as Neptune
The distant planet where the Last Men eventually migrate and face their final challenge.
Jesus
minor
Also known as Jesus
The religious figure, referenced as a historical influence on human culture.
Hundreds of His Servants
minor
Also known as Hundreds of his servants
A group of servants belonging to a powerful figure, possibly the Great Brains.
Japan
minor
Also known as Japan
An Asian nation, often personified in discussions of global power.
Ugly
minor
Also known as Ugly
A personification or concept of ugliness, possibly a philosophical or aesthetic reference.
The Eighth Men
minor
Also known as the Eighth Men, The giant Eighth Men
A giant human species that exists in the sequence of evolving humanity.
The Third Men
supporting
Also known as the Third Men
A human species that creates the Fourth Men and develops the vital art.
Young China
minor
Also known as young China, China
The rising generation of China, representing its modernizing and ambitious spirit.
The American
minor
Also known as The American, the American
A representative American individual, possibly a leader or citizen.
The Terrestrials
minor
Also known as The Terrestrials, the Terrestrials
The inhabitants of Earth, as opposed to the Martians and Venerians.
Venus
supporting
Also known as Venus
The planet where humanity migrates after Earth's destruction, becoming the Venerians.
Europeans
minor
Also known as Europeans, The Europeans
The people of Europe, whose wars lead to their downfall.
Satan
minor
Also known as Satan
The devil, referenced as a mythological figure in human history.
The Fifteenth Men
minor
Also known as the Fifteenth Men, The Fifteenth Men
A later human species in the sequence, mentioned in the future history.
Fate
minor
Also known as Fate
The personification of destiny, often referenced in philosophical discussions.
The Indians
minor
Also known as Indians, the Indians
Indigenous peoples of the Americas, referenced in early human history.
The Discoverer
minor
Also known as the Discoverer
An unnamed figure who makes a significant discovery, possibly in science or exploration.
Mars
supporting
Also known as Mars
The planet inhabited by the Martians, whose civilization is described in detail.
Einstein
minor
Also known as Einstein
The physicist, referenced as a key figure in the development of science.
The Russians
minor
Also known as Russians
A European nation involved in the Russo-German War.
Lundy
minor
Also known as Lundy
An island in the Pacific, possibly a location for a significant event.
Thither
minor
Also known as Thither
A place or direction, possibly a metaphorical or literal destination.
The Ninth Men
minor
Also known as the Ninth Men
A human species in the sequence, mentioned in the future history.
