Dr. Herbert West, whose research into the chemistry of death and life revealed dark truths man was never meant to know – that is, if you're a coward. Dr. West is firmly of the opinion that being alive is better than being dead, and believes that most people feel the same.

He has no defense for some of his other actions.

They groaned, they stirred, they all uprose,
Nor spake, nor moved their eyes;
It had been strange, even in a dream,
To have seen those dead men rise.

The helmsman steered, the ship moved on;
Yet never a breeze up-blew;
The mariners all 'gan work the ropes,
Where they were wont to do;
They raised their limbs like lifeless tools—
We were a ghastly crew.