Should I insert a comma after 'mother'?

Question

Sara Dunstan, Steel’s adoptive mother who had been exiled from the Dark Knights prior to the Chaos War, infiltrated the evil military order in 386 AC to ascertain their status and, in so doing, departed with followers who joined with enemy Solamnic Knights to form the Legion of Steel.

Philip · Accepted Answer

Not necessary.  I'm hoping someone else will chime in about 'restrictive/nonrestrictive' phrases.  Meanwhile, I'll do some more research on my own...it's been a while since I dealt with that question.

Goronsky · Answer

Yes; a comma is needed after "mother."

From CMOS 16:

6.23 Restrictive and nonrestrictive appositives

A word, abbreviation, phrase, or clause that is in apposition to a noun (i.e., provides an explanatory equivalent) is normally set off by commas if it is nonrestrictive—that is, if it can be omitted without obscuring the identity of the noun to which it refers.

K. Lester’s only collection of poems, An Apocryphal Miscellany, first appeared as a series of mimeographs.

This year’s poet laureate, K. Lester, spoke first.

Ursula’s husband, Jan, is also a writer.

Ursula’s son, Clifford, had been a student of Norman Maclean’s. (Ursula has only one son.)

If, however, the word or phrase is restrictive—that is, provides essential information about the noun (or nouns) to which it refers—no commas should appear.

O’Neill’s play The Hairy Ape was being revived. (O’Neill wrote a number of plays.)

The renowned poet and historian K. Lester scheduled a six-city tour for April.

Caligula’s sister Drusilla has been the subject of much speculation. (Caligula had more than one sister.)

Philip · Answer

Thank you, Goronsky!  I stand corrected.

Should I insert a comma after 'mother'?

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6.23 Restrictive and nonrestrictive appositives

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