First Appearance: The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841)

C. Auguste Dupin is a brilliant detective who uses his intellect and imagination to solve mysteries. He is not a professional detective, but rather a gentleman who solves crimes for fun. Dupin's first appearance was in Edgar Allan Poe's 1841 short story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," which is widely considered to be the first detective fiction story. Dupin reappears in "The Mystery of Marie Rogêt" (1842) and "The Purloined Letter" (1844). Dupin's methods are unique. He uses what Poe called "ratiocination," which is a combination of logic and intuition. Dupin is also able to put himself in the mind of the criminal, which helps him to solve the crimes. Dupin's talents are so great that he appears to be able to read the mind of his companion, the unnamed narrator of all three stories. Dupin is a complex and fascinating character. He is a brilliant detective, but he is also a bit of a recluse. He is not interested in fame or fortune, but rather in solving puzzles and mysteries. Dupin is a true original, and he has inspired many other fictional detectives