John Granby
Character Profile
Name: | John Granby |
Date of Birth: | |
Service: | Aerial Corps |
Rank: | Captain |
Nationality: | British |
Billets: | Actionis, crew member Excursius, crew member Fluitare, crew member Laetificat, crew member Temeraire, First Lieutenant Iskierka, captain |
Biography
John Granby was charged with the task of showing William Laurence around the Loch Laggan Covert, but he initially took a disliking to Laurence. Laurence believes this is because he worked with Dayes, who was passed over by Temeraire, on Laetificat. But Granby proves to be the most capable of the available officers and once Laurence sees him in action. Wanting nothing but the best for Temeraire, Laurence appoints Granby as his dragon's First Lieutenant and the two become friends.
He served Temeraire very loyally, and saved Laurence's life several times. He even refused to become the captain of Observaria's egg owing to his commitment to Laurence (the egg was given to Excidium's first lieutenant instead). At the time, Laurence was dismayed, thinking he would spent his righ to promotion and never get another chance. However, during the course of Black Powder War, Temeraire's crew come into posession of two dragon eggs. One hatches before they can return to Great Britain and Granby, being the senior officer, becomes Captain of the dragonet, Iskierka.
Granby is described as a "tall, lanky fellow with dark hair and sunburnt cheeks" (HMD 118). In Black Powder War he reveals that his family did not have enough money to keep him and he was given to the Aerial Corps at a young age. He never expected to be trusted with his own dragon, but hoped if he served Britain well enough, his children might rise in the ranks. Iskierka's hatching, is thus, very emotional for him.