Editing The Last Man (section)

==Characters==
'''Lionel Verney''': The Last Man. The orphan son of an impoverished nobleman, Lionel is originally lawless, self-willed, and resentful of the nobility for casting aside his father. When he is befriended by Adrian, however, he embraces civilization and particularly scholarship. Verney is largely an autobiographical figure for [[Mary Shelley]].<ref name=LukeXII>Luke, Hugh J. Introduction. ''The Last Man'' by Mary Shelley. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 1965. xii</ref>

'''Adrian, Earl of Windsor''': Son of the last King of England, Adrian embraces [[republicanism|republican principles]]. He is motivated by philosophy and philanthropy, rather than ambition. He is based on [[Percy Bysshe Shelley]].<ref>Luke xi</ref>

'''Lord Raymond''': An ambitious young nobleman, Raymond becomes famous for his military efforts on behalf of [[Greece]] against [[Ottoman Empire|the Turks]], but eventually chooses love over his ambition to become King of England. He instead becomes [[Lord Protector]] of England before returning to [[Greece]]. Raymond is motivated by passion and ambition rather than principle. He is based on [[Lord Byron]].<ref name=LukeXII/>

'''Perdita''': Lionel's sister, and Raymond's wife. Growing up an orphan, Perdita was independent, distrustful, and proud, but she is softened by love for Raymond, to whom she is fiercely loyal.

'''Idris''': Adrian's sister, and Lionel's wife. She is loving, maternal, and self-sacrificing.

'''Countess of Windsor''': Mother of Adrian and Idris, an [[Austria]]n princess and former Queen of the United Kingdom. She is haughty and ambitious, scheming to restore the monarchy through her children.

'''Evadne Zaimi''': A Greek princess with whom Adrian falls in love, but who loves Raymond. She is devoted and proud, even when she becomes impoverished.

'''Clara''': Daughter of Raymond and Perdita.

'''Alfred''' and '''Evelyn''': Sons of Lionel and Idris.

'''Ryland''': Leader of the popular democratic party, Ryland has grand plans for the abolition of nobility before the plague, but is unwilling to govern England during the plague.

'''Merrival''': An [[astronomer]] who is oblivious to the plague, instead speculating about the condition of the Earth in six thousand years, until his family dies. Broken by his tragedy, he dies not long afterwards.

'''Lucy Martin''': A young woman who chose to marry a repulsive suitor rather than wait for her true love, to provide for her ageing mother. Her devotion to her mother almost leads to her being left behind in England after the exile.

'''The Imposter''': Unnamed – a false prophet (from ambition, rather than [[fanaticism]]) who creates a radical religious sect in opposition to Adrian while in France.

'''Juliet''': A young noblewoman who joins the Imposter's party to support her baby, but is later killed revealing his imposture.