| Dr. Syn | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Reverend Doctor Christopher Syn |
|
First Appearance |
Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh (novel, 1915) |
|
Original Publisher |
Nelson Press |
|
Created by |
Russell Thorndike |
Synopsis[]
Rev. Christopher Syn is the kindly vicar of the little England hamlet of Dymchurch. At first glance, he appears to be a humble and pleasant fellow, but beneath this façade lies the alter ego of the former notorious pirate, Captain Nathaniel Clegg, who was supposedly hanged at Rye. He is also the mysterious "Scarecrow of Romney Marsh", the masked leader of a local gang of smugglers known as the Demon Riders.
As Doctor Syn, he is respected by the villagers for his kind-hearted nature and unwavering devotion to his parishioners. He is described as tall, imposing, and possessing a commanding presence. His demeanor is calm and composed, with a keen intelligence that allows him to navigate the intricacies of village life with ease.
However, it is as Captain Clegg that Syn truly comes to life. As a pirate, he is cunning, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to his crew. His skills as a sailor and a leader are unmatched, and he is feared by both merchants and authorities alike. Despite his ruthless reputation, he operates by a strict code of honor, refusing to harm innocents or engage in wanton violence.
Syn struggles with his dual identity, trying to reconcile his responsibilities as a clergyman with his desire for adventure and rebellion. Throughout the novel, he grapples with questions of morality, justice, and the nature of good and evil. In the end he is murdered by a former pirate crewman who, as Clegg, he had left to die years before.
"Oh, here’s to the feet that have walked the plank-- Yo-ho! for the dead man’s throttle; And here’s to the corpses afloat in the tank, And the dead man’s teeth in the bottle." -Captain Clegg
Public Domain Literature[]
- Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh (1915)