# Doctor Livesey — Treasure Island character guide > Doctor Livesey in Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Livesey, the doctor, doctor **First appearance:** 0004-i-at-the-admiral-benbow ## Who they are The clear-eyed physician who trades his wig for a cutlass, the one man aboard whose judgment the squire actually trusts. ## Relationships ### [Long John Silver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/long_john_silver) _rivalry_ Doctor Livesey and Long John Silver are cunning adversaries, locked in a battle of wits and survival on the island. ### [Jim Hawkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/jim_hawkins) _friendship_ Doctor Livesey acts as a wise and protective mentor to young Jim, sharing a bond of mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Squire Trelawney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/squire_trelawney) _friendship_ Doctor Livesey and Squire Trelawney are close allies and gentlemen companions, though the Squire's naivety often tests the Doctor's patience. ### [Long John Silver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/long_john_silver) _rivalry_ Doctor Livesey and Long John Silver are cunning adversaries, locked in a battle of wits and survival on the island. ### [Jim Hawkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/jim_hawkins) _friendship_ Doctor Livesey acts as a wise and protective mentor to young Jim, sharing a bond of mutual respect and loyalty. ### [Long John Silver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/long_john_silver) _rivalry_ Doctor Livesey and Long John Silver are cunning adversaries, locked in a battle of wits and survival on the island. ### [Squire Trelawney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/squire_trelawney) _friendship_ Doctor Livesey and Squire Trelawney are close allies and gentlemen companions, though the Squire's naivety often tests the Doctor's patience. ### [Squire Trelawney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/squire_trelawney) _friendship_ Doctor Livesey and Squire Trelawney are close allies and gentlemen companions, though the Squire's naivety often tests the Doctor's patience. ### [Jim Hawkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/jim_hawkins) _friendship_ Doctor Livesey acts as a wise and protective mentor to young Jim, sharing a bond of mutual respect and loyalty. ## In the story ### [Treasure Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/treasure-island) The local doctor who examines Billy Bones and later becomes part of the treasure expedition. ### [At the Admiral Benbow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/i-at-the-admiral-benbow) A local doctor and magistrate who confronts the captain after he threatens him with a knife, warning him to behave or face legal consequences. ### [II: Black Dog Appears and Disappears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/ii-black-dog-appears-and-disappears) Arrives to treat the captain after his stroke, bleeds him, and warns him against drinking rum. ### [The Captain's Papers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/vi-the-captain-s-papers) Receives the packet, opens it carefully, examines the logbook and map, and advises caution and secrecy about the treasure. ### [Part II: The Sea-Cook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/part-ii-the-sea-cook) Accompanies the expedition, provides medical and practical advice. ### [I Go to Bristol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/vii-i-go-to-bristol) Doctor Livesey is mentioned as having gone to London and later arriving in Bristol the night before Jim. ### [At the Sign of the Spy-Glass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/viii-at-the-sign-of-the-spy-glass) Livesey is present with the squire and approves of Silver, saying 'John Silver suits me'. ### [Powder and Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/ix-powder-and-arms) Mediates between the squire and captain, supports the captain's precautions, and praises both Smollett and Silver as honest men. ### [X: The Voyage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/x-the-voyage) Livesey is present on the voyage and is the captain's confidant regarding the crew's discipline. ### [XII: Council of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xii-council-of-war) Facilitates Jim's report; recognizes Silver's remarkable nature; smokes nervously during the council. ### [Part III: My Shore Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/part-iii-my-shore-adventure) The ship's doctor who remains cautious about the island and the crew. ### [XIII: How My Shore Adventure Began](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xiii-how-my-shore-adventure-began) The doctor sniffs the stagnant air and warns of fever on the island. ### [Part IV: The Stockade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/part-iv-the-stockade) Doctor Livesey helps organize the defense of the stockade. ### [Narrative Continued by the Doctor—How the Ship Was Abandoned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xvi-narrative-continued-by-the-doctor-how-the-ship-was-abandoned) Narrator and key strategist; leads the provisioning of the stockade and the abandonment of the ship. ### [Narrative Continued by the Doctor—The Jolly-Boat’s Last Trip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xvii-narrative-continued-by-the-doctor-the-jolly-boat-s-last-trip) Narrator and steersman of the jolly-boat; keeps his powder dry and leads the party ashore. ### [Narrative Continued by the Doctor—End of the First Day’s Fighting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xviii-narrative-continued-by-the-doctor-end-of-the-first-day-s-fighting) Narrates the chapter; leads the party to the stockade, exchanges guns with Trelawney, hands his cutlass to Gray, and tends to the dying Tom Redruth. ### [Narrative Resumed by Jim Hawkins—The Garrison in the Stockade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xix-narrative-resumed-by-jim-hawkins-the-garrison-in-the-stockade) Serves as cook, discusses Ben Gunn's sanity, and reveals he carries Parmesan cheese for Ben Gunn. Participates in strategy meeting. ### [Silver’s Embassy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xx-silver-s-embassy) Livesey is assigned to watch the north side during the parley. ### [The Attack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxi-the-attack) Defends the door and defeats an attacker with a cutlass. ### [XXII: How My Sea Adventure Began](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxii-how-my-sea-adventure-began) The doctor leaves the blockhouse with hat, pistols, cutlass, chart, and musket, heading into the woods—presumably to see Ben Gunn. ### [Part VI: Captain Silver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/part-vi-captain-silver) Doctor Livesey is part of the loyal party that ambushes the pirates and recovers the treasure. ### [In the Enemy’s Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxviii-in-the-enemy-s-camp) Mentioned by Silver as having given him the treasure map, suggesting a hidden plan. ### [On Parole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxx-on-parole) The doctor arrives at the blockhouse to treat the sick and wounded mutineers. He speaks with Jim, learns about the ship's location, and advises Silver about the treasure. ### [The Treasure-Hunt—Flint’s Pointer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxxi-the-treasure-hunt-flint-s-pointer) Mentioned as having warned Silver about squalls and having waved Jim to escape; his unexplained actions puzzle Jim. ### [The Fall of a Chieftain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-fall-of-a-chieftain) The doctor leads the ambush with Gray and Ben Gunn, explains the backstory of Ben Gunn's discovery, and shows no mercy toward Silver's fate. ### [And Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxxiv-and-last) Leaves tobacco for the marooned pirates and argues with Silver about offering medical aid to the sick mutineers. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/doctor_livesey - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters