Bloodlines & Houses
John Gilbert
Elena's biological father, Grayson's brother, and a Founders' Council hardliner who spends most of two seasons trying to kill vampires including the ones his daughter loves. He is manipulative, cruel to Jeremy, and largely correct about the danger, which is what makes him unbearable.
In 2010 he takes Elena's death onto himself through a Bennett spell so that she survives Klaus's sacrifice, and dies leaving her a letter. It is the only unselfish act of his life and it is enough.
Details
- He is the one who resurrects the Gilbert device to incapacitate every vampire and werewolf in Mystic Falls — including Caroline and Tyler, which is how the town discovers werewolves.