# R. — Ashenden character guide

> R. in Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** R. who missed little, Presently R.

**First appearance:** 0002-i-r

## Snapshot

Ashenden's chief, a man of quick, intent looks and a squint that turns sinister when he is asked to authorize something he would rather not know about.

## Who they are

R. presides over the intelligence service with a gentleman's code and a taste for deniability: he desires the end but recoils from the means, and prefers that someone else shoulder the responsibility. His exchanges with Ashenden expose the moral contortions of an agency that wants dirty work done without dirtying its own hands. He matters because he embodies the institutional hypocrisy Ashenden must navigate in nearly every assignment.

## Relationships

### [Ashenden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/ashenden)

_professional_

R is Ashenden's superior in British intelligence, giving him orders and assignments throughout the war.

### [Anastasia Alexandrovna Leonidov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/anastasia_alexandrovna_leonidov)

_professional_

Anastasia Alexandrovna Leonidov is a Russian agent working under R's direction in the intelligence network.

### [Ashenden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/ashenden)

_professional_

R is Ashenden's superior in British intelligence, giving him orders and assignments throughout the war.

### [Anastasia Alexandrovna Leonidov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/anastasia_alexandrovna_leonidov)

_professional_

Anastasia Alexandrovna Leonidov is a Russian agent working under R's direction in the intelligence network.

### [Ashenden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/ashenden)

_professional_

R is Ashenden's superior in British intelligence, giving him orders and assignments throughout the war.

### [Anastasia Alexandrovna Leonidov](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/anastasia_alexandrovna_leonidov)

_professional_

Anastasia Alexandrovna Leonidov is a Russian agent working under R's direction in the intelligence network.

## In the story

### [Ashenden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/ashenden)

Ashenden's superior in the intelligence service, who recruits him.

### [R.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/i-r)

A middle-aged Colonel in the Intelligence Department, known by the letter R. He recruits Ashenden and warns him of the harsh realities of the job.

### [II: A Domiciliary Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/ii-a-domiciliary-visit)

Ashenden's chief; mentioned as someone who would call Ashenden a damned fool if he got arrested.

### [IV: The Hairless Mexican](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/iv-the-hairless-mexican)

Briefs Ashenden on the mission to intercept Constantine Andreadi; provides funds and introduces the Hairless Mexican; displays a sardonic and pragmatic attitude.

### [The Dark Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/v-the-dark-woman)

Mentioned as the colonel who chose the Hairless Mexican for the mission.

### [VII: A Trip to Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/vii-a-trip-to-paris)

Summons Ashenden to Paris, outlines the plan to capture an Indian revolutionary, and shows a fascination with the luxury of the restaurant.

### [IX: Gustav](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/ix-gustav)

Gives Ashenden Gustav's reports as models; suspects something is amiss and sends Ashenden to investigate.

### [Behind the Scenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xi-behind-the-scenes)

Mentioned as the one who sent Ashenden on this mission, though not directly present in the chapter.

### [XIII: The Flip of a Coin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xiii-the-flip-of-a-coin)

Recalled in Ashenden's memory for his refusal to countenance the assassination of King B., despite its strategic value, citing gentlemanly conduct.

### [XIV: A Chance Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xiv-a-chance-acquaintance)

Mentioned as the one who gave Ashenden his orders for the mission; not physically present in the chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters/r
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/characters