Richard Devine (Lord Feverstone)

> *“It does make a difference how things are put... For instance, if it were even whispered that the N.I.C.E. wanted powers to experiment on criminals, you’d have all the old women of both sexes up in arms and yapping about humanity. Call it re-education of the mal-adjusted, and you have them all slobbering with delight that the brutal era of retributive punishment has at last come to an end.”*
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**Richard Devine**, later **Lord Feverstone**, is a businessman who works with Edward Rolles Weston and an old schoolmate of Elwin Ransom’s from Wedenshaw, although they were never fond of each other. Devine's character is one that would now probably be described as that of a sociopath or psychopath, with great charm, complete self-centredness, and a lack of guilt. Devine notes that he never cheats unless he needs money, which (to him) shows that he has a clear conscience.

## *Out of the Silent Planet*

Devine is motivated only by greed and hopes to settle Malacandra so that humans can take advantage of the deposits of Sun's blood there. Oyarsa describes Devine as “broken,” completely consumed by his materialistic desires such that there is no more humanity left in him. Devine represents a life of secular and hedonistic pleasure, which takes no account of morality or the greater good. Devine is described by the Oyarsa of Mars as being dead as a person, whereas his companion Weston is only "bent". Devine only cares for wealth. On the return trip, Devine earns some grudging respect from Ransom by his courage in steering the ship through a crisis. It is implied that Weston and Devine part ways upon their return to Earth.

## *Perelandra*

Devine is not mentioned specifically in *Perelandra* although his confederate Weston is. The spaceship that Weston uses to get to Perelandra may well be the same one that him and Devine use to get to Malacandra, or another built and designed by him.

## *That Hideous Strength*

In *That Hideous Strength* Devine has been given a peerage, and appears as Lord Feverstone; he has an influence in the British government, and is on the verge of being admitted to the Cabinet. Feverstone/Devine is now a fellow of Bracton College at the University of Edgestow, and a leading member of the National Institute of Co-ordinated Experiments.

At dinner, Mark Gainsby Studdock discovers Feverstone as the person responsible for getting his position at Bracton College over another prospect, Denniston. Once G.C. Curry and James Busby, the Bursar of Bracton, leave, Mark discovers Feverstone holds them in disdain, but finds them useful in running Bracton College for the benefit of the N.I.C.E. He believes Mark would fit in well at the N.I.C.E. and invites him to meet the leaders there, which Mark accepts with some reservation.

As (engineered) disturbances break out at the University of Edgestow, Feverstone is made Emergency Commissioner, since he represents simultaneously the nation (as a Cabinet Minister), the University, and the N.I.C.E. Feverstone's appointment is part of the N.I.C.E.'s plan, but he keeps his options open in case the N.I.C.E. scheme to take over Britain misfires. He survives the destruction of the N.I.C.E. headquarters but is then caught in the destruction of Edgestow.

## Quotations

“My name is Ransom, if that is what you mean. And—” “By Jove,” said the slender man, “not Ransom who used to be at Wedenshaw?” “I was at school at Wedenshaw,” said Ransom. “I thought I knew you as soon as you spoke,” said the slender man. “I’m Devine. Don’t you remember me?” “Of course. I should think I do!” said Ransom as the two men shook hands with the rather laboured cordiality which is traditional in such meetings. In actual fact Ransom had disliked Devine at school as much as anyone he could remember.”

## Sources

https://www.litcharts.com/lit/out-of-the-silent-planet/characters/dick-devine http://rudyrentzel.blogspot.com/2018/03/that-hideous-strength-character-list.html