# Long John Silver — Treasure Island character guide > Long John Silver in Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Silver, John Silver, old John, Cap'n Silver, Mr. Silver, Barbecue, Captain Silver **First appearance:** 0012-viii-at-the-sign-of-the-spy-glass ## Who they are The one-legged ship's cook whose charm, competence, and shifting loyalties make him the most dangerous man aboard the Hispaniola. ## Relationships ### [Doctor Livesey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/doctor_livesey) _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) _professional_ Silver initially serves as the Squire's trusted sea cook, but secretly plots mutiny against him. ### [Jim Hawkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/jim_hawkins) _psychological_ Jim is both fascinated and repelled by Silver's charismatic manipulation, creating a tense mentor-rival dynamic. ### [George Merry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/george_merry) _rivalry_ George Merry is a rebellious pirate who challenges Silver's authority, leading to internal conflict among the mutineers. ### [Israel Hands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/israel_hands) _professional_ Israel Hands is a loyal but treacherous pirate subordinate to Silver, ultimately betraying him for personal gain. ### [Dick Johnson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/dick_johnson) _professional_ Dick Johnson is a young pirate follower of Silver, easily swayed by Silver's promises and threats. ### [Captain Smollett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/captain_smollett) _rivalry_ Captain Smollett is a stern, honorable captain who immediately distrusts Silver and opposes his mutinous schemes. ### [Tom Morgan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/tom_morgan) _professional_ Tom Morgan is a pirate crewman under Silver, loyal to the mutineers but ultimately expendable in Silver's plans. ### [Black Dog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/black_dog) _professional_ Black Dog is a former pirate associate of Silver, involved in the hunt for Flint's map and later a fugitive. ### [Ben Gunn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/ben_gunn) _rivalry_ Ben Gunn, a marooned former pirate, fears and resents Silver for abandoning him on the island. ### [Billy Bones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/billy_bones) _professional_ Billy Bones was an old shipmate of Silver's, and his death sets the treasure hunt in motion. ### [Abraham Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/abraham_gray) _professional_ Abraham Gray is a sailor who initially joins the mutineers but later defects to the loyal party, opposing Silver. ## In the story ### [Part II: The Sea-Cook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/part-ii-the-sea-cook) Introduced as the one-legged sea-cook, hired in Bristol; charismatic and cunning. ### [I Go to Bristol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/vii-i-go-to-bristol) Silver is introduced in Trelawney's letter as a one-legged former sailor hired as ship's cook who helps recruit the crew. ### [At the Sign of the Spy-Glass](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/viii-at-the-sign-of-the-spy-glass) Silver is introduced as the one-legged landlord of the Spy-glass, cheerful and cunning, who feigns ignorance of Black Dog. ### [Powder and Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/ix-powder-and-arms) Arrives on the ship as the cook, observes the rearrangement of powder and berths, and is briefly ordered below by the captain. ### [X: The Voyage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/x-the-voyage) Silver is the ship's cook, beloved by the crew, and shows great skill and charisma. He reveals his treacherous plans in the apple barrel. ### [XI: What I Heard in the Apple Barrel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xi-what-i-heard-in-the-apple-barrel) Reveals his pirate past and leadership of the mutiny, corrupting Dick and planning to kill the loyal party after the treasure is found. ### [XII: Council of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xii-council-of-war) Identifies the island and its features; feigns friendliness toward Jim while hiding his treachery. ### [Part III: My Shore Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/part-iii-my-shore-adventure) The cunning ship's cook who leads the mutineers ashore. ### [XIII: How My Shore Adventure Began](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xiii-how-my-shore-adventure-began) Silver works tirelessly to keep the crew calm, but his obvious anxiety reveals his precarious control; he organizes the shore party and calls out to Jim as he flees. ### [XIV: The First Blow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xiv-the-first-blow) Silver attempts to recruit Tom, then kills him when he refuses, showing his ruthless nature. ### [The Man of the Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xv-the-man-of-the-island) Mentioned by Ben Gunn as the former quartermaster on Flint's ship and now the ringleader of the mutineers. ### [Part IV: The Stockade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/part-iv-the-stockade) Silver's mutiny plot is overheard by Jim, revealing his treacherous intentions. ### [Silver’s Embassy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xx-silver-s-embassy) Silver leads the parley, dressed in his best, and attempts to negotiate for the treasure map. ### [Part V: My Sea Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/part-v-my-sea-adventure) The leader of the mutineers, who is not directly present in this part but whose plot drives the conflict. ### [XXII: How My Sea Adventure Began](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxii-how-my-sea-adventure-began) Silver is seen sitting in the stern-sheets of one of the gigs alongside the Hispaniola, recognizable even from a distance. ### [The Cruise of the Coracle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxiv-the-cruise-of-the-coracle) Silver is mentioned indirectly as Jim recalls his warning about the northward current along the west coast. ### [Pieces of Eight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxvii-pieces-of-eight) Silver is present in the stockade; he orders a torch brought after Jim is captured. ### [Part VI: Captain Silver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/part-vi-captain-silver) Silver takes command of the situation, hiding the map and negotiating with Jim while keeping the mutineers in check. ### [In the Enemy’s Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxviii-in-the-enemy-s-camp) Silver maintains his role as captain, skillfully manipulating both Jim and the mutineers, and secretly proposes a mutual survival pact with Jim. ### [The Black Spot Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxix-the-black-spot-again) Receives the Black Spot, defends his leadership, and uses the treasure map to reassert control over the crew. ### [On Parole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxx-on-parole) Silver greets the doctor cheerfully and reveals that Jim is with them. He later listens to the doctor's advice and is hopeful when the doctor promises to try to save him. ### [The Treasure-Hunt—Flint’s Pointer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxxi-the-treasure-hunt-flint-s-pointer) Leads the treasure hunt, attempts to secure Jim's loyalty, and manages the mutineers' morale with cunning speeches. ### [The Treasure-Hunt—The Voice Among the Trees](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxxii-the-treasure-hunt-the-voice-among-the-trees) Leads the treasure hunt, initially shaken by the voice but recovers, using logic to attribute it to Ben Gunn; his greed and treachery become evident. ### [The Fall of a Chieftain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-fall-of-a-chieftain) Silver quickly recovers from the disappointment of the empty pit, changes sides again, and fights alongside the loyal party. He is later spared prosecution by the squire and joins the celebration. ### [And Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/chapters/xxxiv-and-last) Remains on board during the treasure transport, escapes in a shore boat with a sack of coins, and is never heard from again. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters/long_john_silver - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/treasure_island_se/characters