Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island characters

Appears from the start

The young son of the innkeepers at the Admiral Benbow, where a scarred old sailor takes up residence. Jim helps his parents run the isolated inn and becomes the keeper of the sailor's dangerous secret. Alert, curious, and eager for adventure, he narrates most of the story.

Also known as The Captain, Billy Bones

Appears from the start

A weathered, heavy-drinking seaman who lodges at the Admiral Benbow and pays Jim to watch for a one-legged sailor. He keeps a locked sea chest and reacts violently to reminders of his former shipmates.

Appears from the start

A physician and magistrate whose calm authority makes him unafraid of the threatening sailor at the Admiral Benbow. He is a trusted friend of Squire Trelawney and becomes one of the leaders of the expedition prompted by Jim's discovery.

Appears from the start

Jim's practical and determined mother, who runs the Admiral Benbow with her family. After her husband's death, she insists on taking only the money honestly owed from the captain's chest even while danger is approaching.

First appears in chapter 3

A blind pirate who reaches the Admiral Benbow with unsettling precision and forces a summons into Bill's hand. Though physically dependent on a stick and on other men for guidance, he commands the raiding party through fear.

First appears in chapter 6

A wealthy country gentleman and friend of Dr. Livesey. Excitable, generous, and openly enthusiastic about the treasure map, he undertakes to obtain a ship and crew for an expedition to the island.

First appears in chapter 7

The squire's elderly gamekeeper, chosen to accompany the treasure expedition. A loyal household servant with military experience, he travels with Jim from the squire's estate toward Bristol.

Also known as Barbecue

First appears in chapter 8

The one-legged landlord of a busy Bristol tavern, hired by Squire Trelawney as the Hispaniola's cook. He is energetic, sociable, and adept at winning Jim's confidence; when a suspicious patron flees his inn, Silver readily helps investigate.

First appears in chapter 9

The experienced commander of the Hispaniola. Captain Smollett distrusts the expedition's loose arrangements, objects that the crew knows too much about the treasure, and demands that weapons and loyal men be kept near the stern.

First appears in chapter 11

The Hispaniola's coxswain and one of the seasoned sailors involved in Silver's planned mutiny. Jim hears him named among the conspirators while secretly listening to their discussion during the voyage.

First appears in chapter 15

A former member of Flint's crew who has survived alone on Treasure Island for three years. Ragged, sun-browned, and hungry for ordinary food, he tells Jim that he knows where Flint's treasure lies and asks for help returning home.

First appears in chapter 18

A sailor initially counted among the mutineers, but unwilling to attack Captain Smollett's party. He breaks away under fire and reaches the stockade, where the captain accepts him as one of the loyal defenders.