List of Foundation Series Characters - Lord Dorwin

Lord Dorwin (Foundation) is Chancellor of the Galactic Empire and a representative who arrives on Terminus in response to their appeal for military support.

Lord Dorwin has an interest in the origins of the human species, trying to determine if it began on a single planet, and, if so, which. He mentions 'Sol', Sirius, Alpha Centauri, 61 Cygni and Arcturus. The name Dorwin is a reference to Darwin, reflecting a common interest in the origins of humanity.

Although he claims to have an interest in science, Lord Dorwin does not wish to conduct original research (as indicated when Salvor Hardin asks if he plans to visit any of the possible originating planets) but rather bases his studies on the work of scholars dead many centuries before. Asimov marks this as a sign of stagnation of science outside Foundation. The noble lord presents himself on Terminus as an effete aristocrat, proud of his studied non-rhotic accent (which drops away when he is emotional). For example, he pronounces Sirius as "Siwius."

In addition to his (possibly bogus) status as an aristocrat, Lord Dorwin possesses genuine skill as an intragalactic diplomat in his capacity of a leadership representative of the Empire during its declining years. He is responsible for negotiating the treaties that granted autonomy to Anacreon and the other three entities collectively known as the Four Kingdoms. Dorwin disputes the thesis that these territories are independent of the Empire, and his comments are taken by optimistic members of the Encyclopedia Board as proof that the Empire will protect Terminus from threats made by the neighboring Kingdom of Anacreon. However, Hardin's analysis shows that all of his statements cancel out, meaning that he has spoken for five days without actually saying anything.