Cyrus Smith is a brilliant and learned engineer from the state of Massachusetts. In his mid-forties, he is “thin, bony, lanky,” and “his close-cropped hair had already begun to gray, as had his thick mustache” (13). He worked his way up in his industrious career, moving from a manual laborer to a leadership role on account of his intelligence, determination, and unmatched work ethic. Before the fated balloon trip, he was in charge of railways construction across the fledgling nation of the United States of America: “A true man of action as well as a man of mind, he moved through the world effortlessly, impelled by a great vital expansiveness” (13).

During their time on the island, Cyrus is the primary protagonist in that he naturally becomes the leader of the company, generally being first to jump into action and last to speak. In this sense, he is a classic hero archetype. When Cyrus offers a judgment or command, the rest of the men fall in line immediately and without question. His unwavering ethos as a man of good sense and integrity cause the other men to have absolute faith in him.