The Real Life and Fictional Characters Who Inspired J.M. Barrie’s Captain Hook

by Rachel McGinnis

Captain Hook has been immortalized as one of the greatest, most infamous villains in literature.  Created by James Matthew Barrie in his play in 1904 and restored for a number of novels and stories in 1911, this character has been making readers shudder from his sinister behavior for over a century.

Who could forget his cadaver-like appearance or his melancholy blue eyes that burned a fiery red when he became angry or violent?  For that matter, who could forget his hook that was used to menace both his enemies and his crew?  He was the fearless captain of the Jolly Rog...