Elias Carver

Elias Carver
Biographical information
Died:	2509
Personal details
Species:	Human
Gender:	Male
Political and military information
Affiliation:	Unified Earth Government
Title:	Doctor

Akio Watanabe: "You read Elias Carver's work?"

Jacob Keyes: "Carver's a pessimist."

— Major Akio Watanabe and Lieutenant Jacob Keyes

Doctor Elias Carver was a human doctorate graduate in political science and sociology. Carver was known for producing a set of theories called the "Carver Findings", first published in 2491, which gained him popularity within the United Nations Space Command's High Command and the Colonial Military Authority. However, after his theories proved true, Carver blamed himself for the Insurrection that he had predicted and committed suicide.

Biography

"If I had known that Carver would commit suicide two years later, I may have been more charitable in my presentation (Carver blamed himself for the very carnage he had predicted—a lesson for all scientists resides therein)."

— Doctor Catherine Halsey

In 2491, after studying into the political and security situation of Earth and its colonies, Doctor Elias Carver published his "Carver Findings" and presented his results to the United Nations Space Command's High Command. Carver's findings included an algorithm which predicted a breakdown of social order in the Outer Colonies. Carver recommended strict government control be established, reinforced by an immediate and permanent military presence. Without major action it would result in a civil war that would rip apart the Unified Earth Government. After presenting his findings, he was scoffed at by many who attempted to dismiss his findings. However, his theories gained purchase within High Command and the Office of Naval Intelligence. Carver's predictions however would prove shockingly accurate as the Insurrection broke out in June of 2494. Carver's findings would go on to serve as an advisory guide to High Command as they attempted to deal with the Insurrection. After the conflict broke out, Carver became in high demand for lectures, and he gained influence within the Colonial Military Authority.

In 2507, Carver met fifteen-year-old doctoral candidate Catherine Halsey while attending an academic social mixer. Carver was discussing "the matrix mechanics of the socio-and politico-economic vectors of human expansion" when Halsey, who saw his ideas as genius but his algorithm implementation as obsolete, attempted to correct him. He had used only seven dimensional parameters in his calculations; Halsey claimed he needed sixteen. Carver did not appreciate being challenged by a young upstart. Three weeks later, the UNSC approved Halsey's grant proposal for artificial intelligence control for N-dimensional matrices, under the provision that she first successfully test a model of their choosing, which was Carver's. It was by testing this model, using both Carver's and her own dimensional parameters, that Halsey was convinced to join the UNSC and work to end the Insurrection.

Although respected throughout the UEG and in high demand for interviews and lectures, Carver struggled with personal issues, believing that by predicting the escalation and carnage of the Insurrection he had actually caused it. His guilt eventually led him to commit suicide in 2509.

Trivia

Jacob Keyes had read his work and considered him a pessimist.

List of appearances

• Halo: The Cole Protocol (First mentioned)
• Halo: Reach
  • Dr. Halsey's personal journal (First appearance)
• Halo Mythos (Mentioned only)