# Doctor Syn — Doctor Syn character guide > Doctor Syn in Doctor Syn by Russell Thorndike. **Role:** major **Also known as:** The Doctor, Syn, Doctor, Parson Syn, Doctor Syn—he **First appearance:** 0000-i-dymchurch-under-the-wall ## Who they are The beloved vicar of Dymchurch, whose gentle wit and learning hide a past that Mipps calls a 'blinkin' marvel.' ## Relationships ### [Captain Collyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/captain_collyer) _rivalry_ Captain Collyer, the King's revenue officer, is determined to expose Doctor Syn as the leader of the smuggling ring, creating a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic. ### [Mipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mipps) _friendship_ Doctor Syn and Mipps share a deep, long-standing friendship rooted in their shared history as pirates and current smuggling partnership. ### [Mr. Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mr_squire) _professional_ Doctor Syn and Mr. Squire interact as respected members of the community, with Syn often providing medical or clerical services. ### [Imogene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/imogene) _romantic_ Doctor Syn and Imogene share a romantic history, with Imogene being Syn's former lover from his pirate days. ### [Sir Antony Cobtree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/sir_antony_cobtree) _social_ Doctor Syn and Sir Antony interact as respected community leaders, though Syn secretly manipulates Sir Antony's trust. ### [Clegg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/clegg) _friendship_ Clegg is a loyal former crewmate of Doctor Syn from their pirate days, now serving as a trusted smuggler. ### [Captain Collyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/captain_collyer) _rivalry_ Captain Collyer, the King's revenue officer, is determined to expose Doctor Syn as the leader of the smuggling ring, creating a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic. ### [Captain Collyer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/captain_collyer) _rivalry_ Captain Collyer, the King's revenue officer, is determined to expose Doctor Syn as the leader of the smuggling ring, creating a tense cat-and-mouse dynamic. ### [Mipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mipps) _friendship_ Doctor Syn and Mipps share a deep, long-standing friendship rooted in their shared history as pirates and current smuggling partnership. ### [Mr. Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mr_squire) _professional_ Doctor Syn and Mr. Squire interact as respected members of the community, with Syn often providing medical or clerical services. ### [Mipps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/mipps) _friendship_ Doctor Syn and Mipps share a deep, long-standing friendship rooted in their shared history as pirates and current smuggling partnership. ### [Imogene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/imogene) _romantic_ Doctor Syn and Imogene share a romantic history, with Imogene being Syn's former lover from his pirate days. ## In the story ### [Dymchurch-Under-the-Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/i-dymchurch-under-the-wall) The pious and broad-minded vicar of Dymchurch, known for his long sermons, love of tobacco and bishop, and his ability to spin yarns. ### [The Coming of the King's Frigate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/ii-the-coming-of-the-king-s-frigate) Strides along the seawall singing a sea chanty, frequents the Ship Inn, and spots the King's frigate through his telescope. ### [Doctor Syn Takes Cold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/vi-doctor-syn-takes-cold) Present in the library reading; engages Captain Collyer in conversation; becomes visibly disturbed by the mulatto sailor and shivers from the cold. ### [VII: Clegg the Buccaneer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/vii-clegg-the-buccaneer) Present at the supper, questions the captain's theory and later returns to the vicarage. ### [Dogging the Schoolmaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/viii-dogging-the-schoolmaster) Vicar of Dymchurch; arrives at the vicarage after the intruder's escape and questions Mipps. ### [X: Doctor Syn Gives Some Advice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/x-doctor-syn-gives-some-advice) Listens to Jerry's account, advises caution, and invites him for dinner. ### [XII: The Captain Objects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xii-the-captain-objects) Sits at the high table, calms the wrangling, and later reminds the assembly to respect the dead and avoid further acclamation. ### [The End of the Inquiry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xiii-the-end-of-the-inquiry) Takes detailed notes during the inquiry, agrees with the false conclusion about the mulatto, and later organizes posses to search the Marsh. ### [XIV: At the Vicarage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xiv-at-the-vicarage) Acts gloomy, strained, and excited; sings a sea song about death; gives Jerry cryptic warnings and money. ### [XV: A Landed Proprietor Sets Up a Gallows Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xv-a-landed-proprietor-sets-up-a-gallows-tree) Gave Jerk two silver crowns; Jerk returns one crown to him, claiming to have borrowed it. ### [The Schoolmaster's Suit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xvi-the-schoolmaster-s-suit) Mentioned as the parson who will read the banns and as someone who knew Imogene's father; Imogene plans to tell him about Rash's scheme. ### [XVII: The Doctor Sings a Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xvii-the-doctor-sings-a-song) Displays extreme madness, attacks Mr. Rash with a broken bottle, and sings a violent pirate song. ### [Behind the Shutters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xviii-behind-the-shutters) Calmly tends to Mr. Rash's injuries and fabricates a story about the attack, showing his deceptive composure. ### [The Captain's Nightmare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xix-the-captain-s-nightmare) Summons Mrs. Waggetts, orchestrates the captain's drugging, and later wakes him with urgent news. ### [XX: A Terrible Investigation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xx-a-terrible-investigation) Calmly observes the chaos, suggests the moaning might be Job Mallet or Mr. Rash, and fetches brandy for the shaken men. ### [XXI: The Bo'sun's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxi-the-bo-sun-s-story) Present during the recounting and later has breakfast with the captain. ### [A Curious Breakfast Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxii-a-curious-breakfast-party) Engages in a psychological duel with Captain Collyer, feigning ignorance but showing visible distress when the captain hints at supernatural connections. ### [XXV: The Sexton Speaks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxv-the-sexton-speaks) Mentioned as a possible mastermind behind Mipps's actions, though Captain Collyer has yet to test his suspicions about the enigmatic vicar. ### [Captain Collyer Entertains an Attorney from Rye](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxix-captain-collyer-entertains-an-attorney-from-rye) Seen by Mipps ringing the courthouse bell at the end of the chapter. ### [Doctor Syn Has a "Call"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxx-doctor-syn-has-a-call) Reveals his plan to leave Dymchurch under the guise of a missionary call, but confesses his true aim is to recover Clegg's treasure for Imogene. ### [The Captain's Experiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxii-the-captain-s-experiment) Avoids the vicarage; burns his own forearm, revealing a tattoo; announces his departure from Dymchurch. ### [Holding the Pulpit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxvi-holding-the-pulpit) Delivers a farewell sermon, reveals himself as Clegg, and escapes after a violent confrontation. ### [The Dead Man's Throttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-dead-man-s-throttle) Killed by a harpoon in the cabin of the lugger; his body is buried at sea. ### [XXXVIII: Dymchurch-Under-the-Wall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/chapters/xxxviii-dymchurch-under-the-wall) Dies, ending the wool-running; his hidden wealth is discovered by Sir Antony, and he leaves a will bequeathing everything to Imogene. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters/doctor_syn - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/doctor_syn_se/characters