Richard Sharpe facts for kids
Major Richard Sharpe is a brave and adventurous fictional character created by the writer Bernard Cornwell. He is the main hero in a series of exciting books. Many of these books have also been made into popular TV movies! Sharpe's adventures happen during the Napoleonic Wars, a time when France fought against many other European countries. Sharpe often finds himself in thrilling "sword-waving" situations.
Bernard Cornwell has written 21 books about Sharpe, starting with "Sharpe's Tiger" and ending with "Sharpe's Devil". The first book takes place in 1799, and the last one is set in 1820 to 1821. There are also three short stories that fit between the longer books. All the stories cover the Napoleonic Wars. The very first stories show how Sharpe became an officer, starting in India. In the final book, Sharpe goes on a mission to rescue his old friend, Captain General Don Blas Vivar, in Chile.
Sharpe's Adventures: The Books
Here is the order of the books and short stories, along with the year each story takes place:
| Story Name | Year |
| Sharpe's Tiger | 1799 |
| Sharpe's Triumph | 1803 |
| Sharpe's Fortress | 1803 |
| Sharpe's Trafalgar | 1805 |
| Sharpe's Prey | 1807 |
| Sharpe's Rifles | 1809 |
| Sharpe's Havoc | 1809 |
| Sharpe's Eagle | 1809 |
| Sharpe's Gold | 1810 |
| Sharpe's Escape | 1810 |
| Sharpe's Fury | 1811 |
| Sharpe's Battle | 1811 |
| Sharpe's Company | 1812 |
| Sharpe's Sword | 1812 |
| Sharpe's Skirmish
(A short story) |
1812 |
| Sharpe's Enemy | 1812 |
| Sharpe's Honour | 1813 |
| Sharpe's Regiment | 1813 |
| Sharpe's Christmas
(A short story) |
1813 |
| Sharpe's Siege | 1814 |
| Sharpe's Revenge | 1814 |
| Sharpe's Waterloo | 1815 |
| Sharpe's Ransom
(A short story) |
1815 |
| Sharpe's Devil | 1820 – 1821 |
Sharpe's Life Story
Richard Sharpe was born in London to a poor family. As a young man, he spent most of his youth in the city. After getting into some trouble, he left London and went to Yorkshire. He then joined a British line battalion, which is a type of regiment in the British Army.
Sharpe was sent to India, where he did something very brave: he saved the life of the Duke of Wellington! Because of this heroic act, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. This was a special promotion given on the battlefield.
Afterward, he was moved to a Highland regiment, but he wasn't really wanted there. So, he was transferred again, this time to the 95th Rifles in England. The 95th Rifles then traveled to northern Spain with General Moore's army. It was in Spain that Sharpe became good friends with Patrick Harper, who often joins him on his adventures.
In one of his latest adventures, called "Sharpe's Challenge," Sharpe and Harper travel all the way to India to fight against some villains and solve new problems.
