Sharpes Books

A Bloody Good Read

Michael Hogan

Michael Hogan is first encountered as Captain Michael Hogan at the end of Sharpe's Rifles. He is then a regular feature for the rest of the Sharpe Books, up until Sharpe's Siege where he meets his untimely demise from fever.

An Irishman and an engineer, we usually meet the soon promoted Major Hogan working as Wellington's head of inteligence.This means he usually the source of interesting and dangerous jobs for Richard Sharpe

Though obviously a mentally tough and sometimes callous man he is a good friend to Sharpe, and gets him out of almost as many scrapes as he gets him into.

Also though obviously keenly proud of his Irish Heritage, he is no nationalist. Proud to serve both king and country, and willing to put his Irish sentiments to onside when required by his duty.

Notable actions in the books are his joining with Sharpe on the bridge when Lt Colonel Henry Simmerson lost the South Essexs colours, and sending an accurate report back to Wellington. Arranging the mock hanging of Sharpe and giving him time to clear his name in Sharpe's Honour, Manipulating the situation and asking Sharpe to deal with father stansfield in Sharpe's Battle and engaging Sharpe to protect 'La Mirador' in Sharpe's Sword, amongst others.

If Michael Hogan had a Nemesis it was Pierre Ducos the french spy master who haunts Sharpe throughout much of the Iberian war.

 

Sharpe Books Featuring Major Michael Hogan

Sharpe's Rifles
Sharpe's Eagle
Sharpe's Gold
Sharpe's Escape
Sharpe's Fury
Sharpe's Battle
Sharpe's Company
Sharpe's Sword
Sharpe's Enemy
Sharpe's Honour
Sharpe's Regiment
Sharpe's Siege

Michael Hogan in the Sharpe TV Series

Brian Cox wonderfully plays Hogan wonderfully in the first series of Sharpe, but due to unavailability the character is unfortunately replaced in the later shows.