Dr. Livesey

Dr. David Livesey () is a fictional character from the 1883 novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. As well as doctor, he is a magistrate, an important man in the rural society of southwest England, where the story opens; his social position is marked by his wearing a white wig—even in the harsh conditions of the island on which the adventure takes place. Some years previously, he had fought in the Battle of Fontenoy (1745), and was wounded in action during the battle. The doctor first appears in the book when he comes to the "Admiral Benbow" to care for Jim Hawkins' ailing father, demonstrating courage and strength of character as he resists the attempts of pirate Billy Bones to bully him. On Bones' subsequent death and the discovery of the treasure map, Dr. Livesey throws in his lot with Squire Trelawney's plans to recover Captain J. Flint's famous hoard. The more sensible of the two, Dr. Livesey suggests discretion in recruiting a crew for the expedition, urging Trelawney to keep the purpose of the Hispaniola's voyage secret in case they get found out by pirate spies. When Hawkins (now serving as cabin boy) discovers the pirates' plot, it is the doctor he seeks out to make his report. Livesey keeps his head in the crisis and lets none of the crew see that he has just been given dreadful news. Thanks to his cool temperament, he, Captain Alexander Smollett, and the squire are able to plan their escape with the few men they can trust. The doctor himself narrates their subsequent flight from the ship and the establishing of their camp in the old stockade on the island. Later, when ship's cook Long John Silver and the crew attack, the doctor—a battle-hardened veteran—fights well and, with Captain Smollett...