# A. J. Raffles — The Amateur Cracksman character guide

> A. J. Raffles in The Amateur Cracksman by E. W. Hornung.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Raffles, Mr. Raffles, the great Raffles, old Raffles, Players Old Raffles

**First appearance:** 0001-the-amateur-cracksman

## Snapshot

A celebrated amateur cricketer whose Albany rooms and easy charm conceal a gentleman burglar, he draws a ruined old schoolmate into his double life.

## Who they are

Raffles moves through London as a beloved sporting hero, dining at his club and keeping blazers for every occasion, while quietly casing the same houses he visits as a guest. When Bunny, his former fag, confesses bankruptcy at midnight, Raffles offers not charity but partnership, revealing a taste for risk that borders on appetite. His charm and nerve set the moral trap at the heart of the book: crime, he argues, is simply honesty done thoroughly.

## In the story

### [The Amateur Cracksman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/the-amateur-cracksman)

The mastermind and amateur cracksman, leading the burglaries with charm and skill.

### [The Ides of March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/the-ides-of-march)

Attends the dinner party and is recognized by an old acquaintance, forcing him to maintain his facade.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/i)

Reveals he is as hard up as Bunny, living on his wits. Recalls their school days and proposes a partnership.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/ii)

Reveals his true criminal intent to Bunny, leads the burglary with skill and calm.

### [A Costume Piece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/a-costume-piece)

Plans and executes the attempted robbery of Rosenthall's diamonds, using disguises and a studio as a base.

### [Gentlemen and Players](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/gentlemen-and-players)

Explains his use of cricket as a cover for crime; bowls brilliantly at the match; plans the Milchester robbery.

### [Le Premier Pas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/le-premier-pas)

Narrates the story of his first crime to Bunny, revealing his early criminal ingenuity and lack of remorse.

### [Wilful Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/wilful-murder)

Reveals his plan to murder Baird, showing a cold and determined side.

### [Nine Points of the Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/nine-points-of-the-law)

Responds to the advertisement under the alias Glasspool, negotiates with Addenbrooke, and later fails to steal the painting from Craggs.

### [The Return Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/the-return-match)

Intercepts Bunny in Piccadilly, brings him to the Albany, reveals Crawshay's escape, offers his key to Mackenzie, and is later found apparently dead or injured in his rooms.

### [The Gift of the Emperor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/the-gift-of-the-emperor)

Masterminds the theft of the Emperor's pearl aboard the Uhlan.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/i)

Plans to steal the Emperor's pearl from von Heumann; deceives Bunny about their meeting on the ship.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/ii)

Plans the theft of von Heumann's pearl, uses flirtation with Amy to gather intel, and shows a rare moment of vulnerability when questioned about his future.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/chapters/iii)

Masterminds the theft of the pearl, cleverly reveals its location, and escapes by diving overboard after a dramatic farewell.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/characters/raffles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_amateur_cracksman_se/characters