As well as doctor, he is a magistrate, an important man in the rural society of southwest England, where the story opens; his social position is marked by his always wearing a white wig—even in the harsh conditions of the island on which the adventure takes place.

The doctor first appears[1] in the book when he comes to the "Admiral Benbow" to care for Jim Hawkins' ailing father, demonstrating courage and strength of character as he resists the attempts of pirate Billy Bones to bully him.

[2] On Bones' subsequent death and the discovery of the treasure map, Dr. Livesey throws in his lot with Squire Trelawney's plans to recover Captain J.

The more sensible of the two, Dr. Livesey suggests discretion in recruiting a crew for the expedition, urging Trelawney to keep the purpose of the Hispaniola's voyage secret in case they get found out by pirate spies.

[8] Later, when ship's cook Long John Silver and the crew attack, the doctor—a battle-hardened veteran—fights well[9] and, with Captain Smollett wounded, takes responsibility for the safety of the expedition.