A. J. Raffles (character)

A.J. Raffles is a fictional character created by E.W. Hornung, appearing in a series of short stories and a novel published between 1898 and 1909. Raffles is portrayed as a gentleman thief, an amateur cricketer of renown who lives a double life as a daring burglar.

While ostensibly a member of the upper class and highly respected in society, Raffles funds his lavish lifestyle through carefully planned robberies, often targeting the wealthy and privileged circles he frequents. His accomplice and narrator of the stories is Harry "Bunny" Manders, a former schoolmate down on his luck, whom Raffles takes under his wing.

The Raffles stories are notable for their subversion of the traditional detective story formula. Instead of being a figure of justice, Raffles is the criminal, and his intelligence and charm are used to evade capture. The stories often explore themes of class, morality, and the allure of forbidden activities.

Hornung's creation has been interpreted in various ways, sometimes as a critique of Victorian society's hypocrisy, and other times as a romanticized portrayal of a criminal anti-hero. Raffles has been adapted for stage, film, and television numerous times, further solidifying his place in popular culture. His character is often seen as a predecessor to later gentleman thief archetypes, influencing characters such as Arsène Lupin and Simon Templar (The Saint). The stories also offer a glimpse into the social mores and anxieties of the late Victorian era.