Pollitt

Pollitt is a surgeon in the British Navy, first serving on the HMS Reliant under Captain William Laurence and then on the HMS Allegiance under Captain Thomas Riley.

Early Life
Little is know about Pollitt's early life, save for the fact that he became a naval surgeon at age 30 after some unspecified disappointments on land.

He is known also to have a family; a wife and four children who were, as of 1805, living in Derbyshire.

At some time prior to 1805, he had witnessed a dragon hatching.

In His Majesty's Service
Pollitt was present for the Reliant's battle with the French frigate Amitie, during which Temeraire's egg was captured. While inspecting the ship, Captain William Laurence discovered the egg and sent for Pollitt, who had some interest and knowledge of dragons, having witnessed one hatch and read quite a bit from the subject. Pollitt informed the captain that the egg was hardened and would hatch in one week, a fact that dismayed Laurence as they were three weeks from port.

Shortly afterwards Laurence held a conference for the ship's officers to decide who would take on the duty of attempting to harness the dragon. Pollitt, who was excused by virtue of the fact that he had family to support, drew the ballets out of a hat.

Over the next week Pollitt was the only crewmember of the Reliant who was in good humor about the situation; taking extensive measurements of the egg and even sleeping next to it on several occasions and it was him who noticed the first few cracks appearing in the egg's shell. Pollitt was then present at the hatching, whereupon the newly hatched Temeraire took no interest in his chosen captain, Midshipman Carver, to whom Pollitt offered advice. Eventually; however, the dragonet settled on Captain Laurence. Pollitt was later present at a dinner hosted by Captain Thomas Riley.

Personality and Characteristics
Pollitt was known to be a genial man, well liked by the crew of the Reliant, despite the fact that his hand was not always the steadiest on the operating table.

One of Pollitt's most defining characteristics was his fascination with dragons, perhaps indicating a lifelong interest. Pollitt had some knowledge of the harnessing procedure, and enough general knowledge to know how to recognize the hardening of Temeraire's egg. His interest could often drive him to insensitive lengths, as is evidenced by the fact that he was 'the only one in good humor' during the week preceding Temeraire's hatching.

Pollitt also possessed and read a great many books on Dragons, such as Badke's: 'Bestiary', several of which he lent to Captain Laurence.

Pollitt was also known to snore loudly.