Squire Trelawney

How Stevenson describes him:

"He was a tall man, over six feet high, and broad in proportion, and he had a bluff, rough-and-ready face, all roughened and reddened and lined in his long travels. His eyebrows were very black and moved readily, and this gave him a look of some temper, not bad, you would say, but quick and high".

His role in Treasure Island:

He funds the secret treasure hunt, but due to his big mouth he lets the secret out, alerting Long John Silver and his pirate mates. Brave, means well, but a little bit stupid - he is also hopeless at keeping secrets.

Squire Trelawney said,

"I didn't say a thing... well only to an Innkeeper - that was all - and, oh yes, the stable lad... and the cook... "

"the neat, bright doctor with his powder white as snow, and his bright, black eyes and pleasant manners".

His role in Treasure Island:

A decent, honourable man, who is practical and sensible even when things get tough. Due to his commonsense the treasure is found and brought safely home.

Doctor Livesey said,

"It was an interesting little trip - slight bit of bother on the way, but nothing serious".

"He was plainly blind for he tapped before him with a stick, and wore a great green shade over his eyes and nose; and he was hunched, as if with age or weakness, and wore a huge old tattered sea-cloak with a hood, which made him appear positively deformed ".

His role in Treasure Island:

An evil and sinister pirate who was blinded in a pirate attack. He is cruel, scary and determined to get the map. He gives Billy Bones the Black Spot and is trampled to death by horses.

Blind Pew said,

"All I needed was the map, then I would have been home and dry - Billy Bones got what he deserved!"

"His left leg was cut off close by the hip, and under the left shoulder he carried a crutch, which he managed with wonderful dexterity, hopping about upon it like a bird. He was very tall and strong, with a face as big as a ham - plain and pale, but intelligent and smiling".

His role in Treasure Island:

Long John Silver was hired by the Squire to be the cook on the Hispaniola. He turns out not to be a cook but an evil pirate who is also hunting for Captain Flint's treasure. Generally he is not to be trusted. He is a clever, sneaky and dastardly villain who is feared by all. He escapes at the end of the book with some of the treasure and is never seen again.

Long John Silver said,

"Being a pirate is all well and good...for any man, but once I lost me leg it was never the same. I needed the treasure for me and the wife to get our retirement home in Eastbourne".