# John Maltravers — The Lost Stradivarius character guide > John Maltravers in The Lost Stradivarius by John Meade Falkner. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sir John Maltravers, Maltravers, Worth **First appearance:** 0001-the-lost-stradivarius ## Who they are The protagonist, a young Oxford student who becomes obsessed with a mysterious Stradivarius violin and its dark history. ## Relationships ### [Constance Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/constance_temple) _romantic_ Constance is John's devoted sister, but her intense emotional attachment and concern for him borders on romantic obsession. ### [Mr. Gaskell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/mr_gaskell) _professional_ Gaskell is John's loyal and trusted servant, managing his household and personal affairs with deep devotion. ### [Adrian Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/adrian_temple) _family_ Adrian is John's brother-in-law (married to his sister), and their relationship is cordial but marked by Adrian's suspicion of John's obsession. ### [Sir Edward Maltravers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/sir_edward_maltravers) _family_ Sir Edward is John's father, and their relationship is formal and strained, with Sir Edward disapproving of John's reckless pursuits. ### [Dr. Frobisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/dr_frobisher) _professional_ Dr. Frobisher is John's physician and confidant, trying to diagnose and treat John's mysterious psychological decline. ### [Mr. George Smart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/mr_george_smart) _friendship_ George Smart is John's close friend and fellow student, though he becomes increasingly concerned about John's dark transformation. ### [Parnham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/parnham) _professional_ Parnham is John's college servant or porter, providing minor services and witnessing John's erratic behavior. ### [Raffaelle Carotenuto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/raffaelle_carotenuto) _psychological_ Carotenuto is the ghostly Italian musician whose spirit possesses John, driving him to obsession and madness. ### [Royston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/royston) _social_ Royston is a fellow student and acquaintance of John's, part of his social circle at Oxford. ### [Dr. Sarsdell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/dr_sarsdell) _professional_ Dr. Sarsdell is another physician consulted about John's condition, offering a more skeptical or scientific perspective. ### [Graziani](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/graziani) _psychological_ Graziani is a mysterious Italian figure connected to the Carotenuto legacy, appearing to John as a harbinger of his doom. ### [Constance Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/constance_temple) _romantic_ Constance is John's devoted sister, but her intense emotional attachment and concern for him borders on romantic obsession. ## In the story ### [The Lost Stradivarius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/the-lost-stradivarius) The protagonist, whose life is irrevocably altered by the supernatural events and the discovery of the violin. ### [Miss Sophia Maltravers’ Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/miss-sophia-maltravers-story) Central figure in Sophia's story; his obsession with the violin and his marriage to Constance are key events. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/i) Discovers the Graziani manuscript and experiences the mysterious chair creaking while playing the gagliarda. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/ii) Observes a penumbra or mist in the chair during the gagliarda, suggesting a supernatural presence. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/iii) Experiences the supernatural apparition in his rooms; later hosts the Temple family in Oxford and shows interest in Constance. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/iv) Agitated and fearful after seeing the apparition, he confides in Gaskell and reluctantly agrees to replay the music. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/v) Spends the summer at Worth Maltravers, confides in Sophia about the apparition and his love for Constance, plays the gagliarda. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/vi) Discovers the hidden violin behind a panel in his room. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/vii) Discovers the Stradivarius violin in a hidden cupboard, conceals it from others, and seeks expert appraisal in London. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/viii) Returns home for Christmas, appears changed and secretive; faints at the ball at Royston and is confined to bed. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/ix) Recovers from illness, becomes engaged, and plays the Stradivarius in secret, refusing to share it with Gaskell. ### [The Summer and the Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/x) Shows increasing emotional distance from Constance, plays the Stradivarius obsessively, and becomes more withdrawn and moody. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xi) Plays the gagliarda obsessively; shows indifference to Constance. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xii) Found gravely ill in Italy; has abandoned his family and is wasting away. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xiii) Gravely ill, weak, and nostalgic; avoids discussing the past, plans to show Sophia something in Naples. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xiv) Leads his sister to a grim discovery, revealing the remains of Adrian Temple and the hall from Gaskell's vision. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/xv) Shows weakness and exhaustion, but improves mentally during journey; insists on bringing the Stradivarius; sleepwalks and plays violin on Christmas morning. ### [Mr. Gaskell’s Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/chapters/mr-gaskell-s-note) Subject of the narrative; his obsession with the past and the violin leads to his ruin. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters/john_maltravers - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_lost_stradivarius_se/characters