# The Master — The Master of Ballantrae character guide > The Master in The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** James Durie, the Master of Ballantrae, Mr. James, Jamie **First appearance:** 0002-the-master-of-ballantrae ## Snapshot The elder son whose charm and recklessness make him the family favorite, even as he gambles its future on a coin toss and a doomed rebellion. ## Who they are James Durie, heir to Durrisdeer, is the dazzling brother everyone loves and no one trusts — the one who rides off to fight for Prince Charlie while his steadier sibling stays home. He treats loyalty as a game and family as a wager, tossing a guinea to decide who goes to war and mocking his brother as 'Jacob' when he loses. His levity in the face of ruin is both his seduction and his danger, and it sets the whole tragedy of the house in motion. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Henry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/mr_henry) _rivalry_ Bitter fraternal rivalry fueled by jealousy, betrayal, and a lifelong struggle for inheritance and honor. ### [Secundra Dass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/secundra_dass) _professional_ An Indian servant who follows the Master with eerie devotion, assisting his schemes and later his resurrection attempt. ### [John Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/john_mountain) _professional_ A hired ruffian and accomplice who aids the Master in his criminal exploits with grudging respect. ### [Colonel Burke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/colonel_burke) _friendship_ A fellow Jacobite adventurer and drinking companion who shares the Master's reckless escapades. ### [Teach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/teach) _professional_ The infamous pirate Blackbeard, who briefly employs the Master as a lieutenant in his crew. ### [Mrs. Henry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/mrs_henry) _romantic_ She harbors a secret, doomed romantic obsession with the Master, which poisons her marriage to Mr. Henry. ### [Lord Durrisdeer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/lord_durrisdeer) _family_ The aging father favors the Master as his firstborn, causing deep familial discord and neglect of Mr. Henry. ### [Mr. Bally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/mr_bally) _professional_ A lawyer and accomplice who handles the Master's financial and legal manipulations. ### [Dutton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/dutton) _professional_ A servant at Durrisdeer who is bribed or coerced into spying for the Master. ### [Hastie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/hastie) _professional_ A pirate and henchman who follows the Master's commands during their American adventures. ### [Sir William Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/sir_william_johnson) _professional_ The British colonial official who employs the Master as a spy and agent during the French and Indian War. ### [Mr. Henry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/mr_henry) _rivalry_ Bitter fraternal rivalry fueled by jealousy, betrayal, and a lifelong struggle for inheritance and honor. ## In the story ### [The Master of Ballantrae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/the-master-of-ballantrae) The elder brother, James Durie, is charming, reckless, and volunteers to join the Jacobite rebellion, leaving Henry behind. ### [I: Summary of Events During the Master’s Wanderings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/i-summary-of-events-during-the-master-s-wanderings) James Durie, the elder son, depicted as wild, popular, and duplicitous; he joins the Jacobite rebellion and is presumed dead at Culloden. ### [The Master's Wanderings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/iii-the-master-s-wanderings) Meets Burke after Culloden, proposes a coin-toss pact, and later becomes a leader among pirates through natural genius and discipline. ### [IV: Persecutions Endured by Mr. Henry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/iv-persecutions-endured-by-mr-henry) Exposed as a government spy but recovers; begins a calculated siege of Mrs. Henry after a confrontation with Mr. Henry. ### [Account of All That Passed on the Night of February 27th, 1757](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/v-account-of-all-that-passed-on-the-night-of-february-27th-1757) Wounded in the duel, found by free-traders and taken aboard a lugger; his portmanteaus reveal he was preparing to leave, and his correspondence is discovered by Mackellar. ### [VI: Summary of Events During the Master’s Second Absence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/vi-summary-of-events-during-the-master-s-second-absence) Absent but a constant threat; his potential return hangs over the household; mentioned in Mr. Henry's delirium as 'Jamie' in childhood danger. ### [VII: Adventure of Chevalier Burke in India](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/vii-adventure-of-chevalier-burke-in-india) Found in India, disguised in native muslin, he cruelly denies knowing Chevalier Burke and refuses him aid, speaking only through an interpreter. ### [VIII: The Enemy in the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/viii-the-enemy-in-the-house) Returns to Durrisdeer with Secundra Dass, appearing worn but defiant; engages in a tense exchange with his brother. ### [Mr. Mackellar's Journey with the Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/ix-mr-mackellar-s-journey-with-the-master) Sings 'Wandering Willie' with melancholy, attempts to justify his wickedness to Mackellar, and tells a tale of a count's vengeance during the voyage. ### [X: Passages at New York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/x-passages-at-new-york) Arrives in New York and is publicly humiliated by his brother, but accepts the allowance and stays, plotting revenge with Secundra Dass. ### [XI: The Journey in the Wilderness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/xi-the-journey-in-the-wilderness) Trapped in the wilderness with Harris and his men; aware of the conspiracy, he attempts escape twice but is recaptured, maintaining a cheerful demeanor. ### [Narrative of the Trader, Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/narrative-of-the-trader-mountain) The Master is the designated victim of the conspiracy, yet he maintains a gallant and cheerful demeanor, using wit and bravado to delay his fate. He feigns illness and agrees to reveal the treasure, demonstrating his resourcefulness under extreme pressure. ### [XII: The Journey in the Wilderness (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/xii-the-journey-in-the-wilderness-continued) Reported dead and buried; his body is exhumed by Secundra Dass and briefly appears to show signs of life, causing Lord Durrisdeer's fatal shock. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/endnotes) Referenced in connection with his ability to make admirers, such as the second Teach. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters/the_master - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/characters