Lara Croft

Archaeologist and adventuress, writer and freebooter. At the same time still a lady of high standing, at home both in the wilderness and the underworld, as well as in Britain's high society.
Born on the 14th February, 1967, in Wimbledon (Greater London). Daughter of Lord Stewart Henshingly Croft and Lady Alison Byville, and hence descendant of two old and well-reputed lineages of Surrey nobles. As the only daughter of Lord Stewart and Lady Alison Lara was entitled to the heritage of both. Indeed nothing seemed to be able to prevent her from enjoying a life fit for her class.

After her famous accident in the Himalayas, however, Lara refused to follow the course that had been set out for her. Consequently she was disowned by her paternal relatives. Following a friend's advice she moved to the United States and matriculated into the archaeology department of Chicago University.

During her student's years Lara was involved in all sorts of activities that had little connection to her studies but merely served to satisfy her awakened desire for adventure and action. Apparently they also helped to keep up the sometimes dull and uninspiring academic discipline, for she managed to finish her studies without delay.

Immediately after her graduation Lara started her travels all over the world, making good use of the sometimes very unconventional contacts she had made during her archaeology studies and earning her living by writing about her exploits. Meanwhile Lady Alison died and left her daughter in the possession of a mansion house in Surrey, between Guildford and West Clandon. Lara returned to Britain and made the New Croft Mansion her home base. In the course of the years the place was equipped with extensive security measures, a secret treasure chamber and a full-fledged assault course for training.

Because she has always been more interested in challenges and adventure rather than in academic merit, Lara has become an outsider in the archaeological field from the very beginning. Many of her colleagues do not take her altogether seriously, although none of them can deny that she achieved some remarkable results. In the course of her turbulent career, however, Lara won the respect of a number of fellow archaeologists, in particular those of the London Institute of Archaeology.

Her controversial reputation did not prevent the British Museum from employing her as a free-lance explorer. In fact the Musem did this exactly because of her preference for tomb raiding and treasure hunting. In practice Lara divides her time between respectable but rather ill-paid jobs commissioned to her by the British Museum and the less respectable but much better paid jobs offered to her by private collectors and other dubious clients.
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