Bernard Cornwell created Richard Sharpe, British soldier, who, by merit and valor, rose from a lowly private, to the rank of Lt. Colonel
Sharpe was born in the slums of London of a prostitute mother and an unknown father. His mother was killed in a riot when he was three, and he was placed in an 18th Century orphanage, a horrible experience.
After a series of adventures, escapes and crimes, he joined the Army.
His service in India eventually made his fortune as there he met and saved the life of the future Duke of Wellington.
The book series was made into a television series with Sean Bean as Sharpe and Daragh O'Malley as his friend, Harper.
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