Melville The Librarian

Melville is an underworld figure that lives in The Rookery in the East End of London. He runs a vast, hidden library illegally where he is trying to discover and preserve as much of the story of humanity as possible. He has no children, partner or visible family.

Books are considered illegal by both the industrial and religous power structures in order to keep the populace from discovering/joining Homo Cirrus and Melville is considered one of the most wanted people in the country.

Melville is passionate about spreading knowledge and often uses the language of drug use and addiction to refer to books and the search for knowledge. He is often accused of paranoid delusion due to being so security conscious, but is actually extremely rigorous in his need for evidence and proof. He is most disappointed by Gilbert Fournier, his current "apprentice" who has proven too quick to believe what he reads.

Melville sees a kindred spirit within Len Draggett and teaches him to read in return for helping out at the library - Melville quietly hopess Len will eventually take over responsibility for the library.