Professor Summerlee
Role
Professor of Comparative Anatomy and member of the expedition committee; he serves as the official spokesman for the group.
Dialogue
Sharp, acid, and sarcastic; often engages in bickerings with Challenger.
Appearance
Sixty-six years old; tall, thin, gaunt, stringy figure; thin features and a wagging, thin, goat-like beard. After his return, his features are more ascetic and his skin is burned to a darker tint.
Background
A veteran scientist who previously traveled with Robertson in Papua.
Identified
true
Motivations
To maintain scientific rigor; currently plans to retire from teaching to focus on fossil classification.
Personality
Acid, skeptical, cantankerous, and sarcastic. He possesses a 'surly courage' and remains argumentative, though he eventually becomes a staunch defender of the expedition's findings.
Competencies
Expert in comparative anatomy, entomology, ornithology, and botany.
Plot Relevance
He serves as the scientific foil to Challenger, providing a skeptical perspective until the evidence becomes overwhelming.
First Appearance
Zoological Institute's Hall
Timeline
Election to the Committee
Professor Summerlee is elected alongside Malone to the investigative committee during the public meeting at Queen's Hall.
Arrival at Enmore Park
Professor Summerlee is admitted by Austin into Challenger's study during the volatile period of the London interviews.
Vindicating the Artist
Professor Summerlee examines Maple White's sketchbook and uses its drawings to scientifically validate the prehistoric sightings on the plateau.
Accepting the Challenge
Summerlee volunteers to go to South America to test Challenger's statements.
Departure
Departs for South America, expressing profound regret for himself.
Arrival at Manaos
Reaches Manaos and continues to express his belief that the expedition is a wild-goose chase.
The Pterodactyl Apology
After seeing a pterodactyl steal their dinner, Summerlee formally apologizes to Challenger for his skepticism.
Trapped
Crosses the bridge to the plateau and is trapped there when Gomez destroys the tree.
The Pterodactyl Attack
Summerlee is knocked down and wounded in the forehead during the pterodactyl attack.
Captured by Ape-Men
Summerlee is captured and roughly handled by the ape-men during their raid on the camp.
Rescue from the Precipice
Saved by Roxton and Malone just as he was being dragged to the edge of the cliff to be thrown over.
The Battle of the Plateau
Participates in the war against the ape-men; his rifle is smashed during the melee.
Opposing the Balloon
Vehemently refuses to participate in Challenger's 'midsummer madness' balloon experiment.
The Queen's Hall Address
Summerlee delivers the official report of the expedition to the Zoological Institute.
Retirement
Summerlee receives £50,000 from the diamond find and decides to retire to classify chalk fossils.
