Robinson Crusoe (AmazonClassics Edition) characters

Appears from the start

An Englishman from a comfortable York family whose longing for travel overcomes his father's warnings against a seafaring life. Energetic, practical, and determined to direct his own fortune, he repeatedly treats danger as a reason to try again rather than return home.

Appears from the start

Crusoe's elderly father, a prosperous immigrant settled in York. He urges his son to choose a secure middle course between poverty and great ambition, warning that the desire for adventure will bring suffering.

First appears in chapter 2

A boy enslaved alongside Crusoe in North Africa who joins his escape by boat. Loyal, capable, and courageous during their journey down the African coast, he helps hunt, navigate, and negotiate the dangers they encounter.

First appears in chapter 3

A Portuguese shipmaster who rescues Crusoe and Xury off the African coast. He deals fairly with Crusoe and helps him turn the few possessions saved in the escape into the beginnings of a new life in Brazil.

First appears in chapter 3

A merchant's widow in England whom Crusoe trusts with part of his money before his longer voyages. She receives a small reserve from him while he invests the rest in his new prospects abroad.

First appears in chapter 16

A man Crusoe rescues when a captive breaks away from a group visiting the island. Crusoe gives him the name Friday after the day of the rescue. Intelligent, adaptable, and eager to communicate, he rapidly learns English and becomes Crusoe's companion.

First appears in chapter 17

An older captive rescued from a later landing party on the island. He is Friday's father, and their unexpected reunion gives Crusoe and Friday new knowledge about the nearby mainland and the people living there.

First appears in chapter 17

A European survivor who has lived among Friday's people on the mainland and is brought to the island as a captive. His rescue opens the possibility of contacting other stranded Europeans and enlarging the island settlement.

First appears in chapter 18

The commander of an English vessel whose mutinous crew sets him ashore with two loyal companions. He asks Crusoe for help recovering his ship and offers passage to England if authority aboard can be restored.

First appears in chapter 18

An officer put ashore beside the English captain after the crew's mutiny. He remains loyal to the captain and joins Crusoe's plan to overcome the mutineers and retake the vessel.

First appears in chapter 18

One of the more dangerous members of the mutinous English crew. His resistance helps force Crusoe and the captain to distinguish between men who can be persuaded to surrender and the leaders who remain a threat.