Robert, portrayed by Aidan Quinn, in Mary Shelly's Frankenstein (1994)
Robert Walton is a fictional character in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus, and one of the novel's three principal narrators, the other being the title character Victor Frankenstein, and the creature which Victor built and brought to life. Walton's role in the novel is a frame story written in epistolary form, as letters by Walton to his sister Margaret Walton Saville.
Walton in the novel[]
In the late 18th century, Robert Walton is a failed writer who sets out to explore the North Pole in hopes of expanding scientific knowledge. During the voyage, the crew spots a dog sled driven by a gigantic figure. A few hours later, the crew rescues a nearly frozen and emaciated man named Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein has been in pursuit of the gigantic man observed by Walton's crew. Frankenstein starts to recover from his exertion; he sees in Walton the same obsession that has destroyed him and recounts a story of his life's miseries to Walton as a warning. The recounted story serves as the frame for Frankenstein's narrative.
After Victor has finished telling his tale, Captain Walton's ship becomes trapped in pack ice, and several crewmen die in the cold before the rest of Walton's crew insists on returning south once it is freed. Upon hearing the crew's demands, Victor is angered and, despite his condition, gives a powerful speech to them. He reminds them of why they chose to join the expedition and that it is hardship and danger, not comfort, that defines a glorious undertaking such as theirs. He urges them to be men, not cowards. However, although the speech makes an impression on the crew, it is not enough to change their minds and when the ship is freed, Walton regretfully decides to return South. Victor, even though he is in a very weak condition, states that he will go on by himself. He is adamant that the Creature must die.
Victor dies shortly thereafter, telling Walton, in his last words, to seek "happiness in tranquility and avoid ambition." Walton discovers the Creature on his ship, mourning over Victor's body. The Creature tells Walton that Victor's death has not brought him peace; rather, his crimes have made him even more miserable than Victor ever was. The Creature vows to kill himself so that no one else will ever know of his existence and Walton watches as the Creature drifts away on an ice raft, never to be seen again.
Walton in other media[]
Most film adapters of Frankenstein find Walton and his subplot to be unnecessary, and leave him out entirely. There are exceptions.