The Anarchist (The Stolen Bacillus)

Overview

The Anarchist is the unnamed pale-faced visitor to the Bacteriologist's laboratory. He is slender, with lank black hair, deep grey eyes, a haggard expression and a nervous manner. His interest intensifies when the scientist describes the apparent danger of his work. He initially appears to have a legitimate introduction; the later narration of his thoughts reveals that he forged it. His identity is thus the particular visitor in Wells's comic story, rather than a representative of every anarchist or a documented historical attacker.

Taking advantage of the scientist's brief absence, he steals a specimen and leaves. During the cab chase, the narrative enters his thoughts: fear of capture competes with exultation at the notoriety he imagines gaining. He resents being dismissed and neglected, and envisages revenge against society. His murderous purpose is real within the narrative, although his belief about the stolen material is mistaken. After an accident during the escape, he believes himself fatally exposed and swallows the remaining liquid, adopting a theatrical idea of martyrdom. The story presents this as his interpretation, without confirming a fatal infection.

He stops fleeing, confronts the scientist with a defiant declaration, then walks away towards Waterloo Bridge, deliberately brushing against other people because he believes himself infectious. The scientist's subsequent conversation with Minnie supplies the correction the visitor never hears: the specimen was misrepresented to impress him and was associated with blue colouring in animals. The scientist admits that its effect on this man is uncertain. The final view is a strutting black figure receding into the distance, with no narrated transformation or later fate. The scientist's racial classification of him is an attributed prejudice; the tale establishes no precise nationality, ancestry or clinical diagnosis.

First appearances & development

Individual character in H. G. Wells’s authored English fiction; retained historical collection title, not a real case report.

Canon & continuity

Complete selected 51-paragraph tale including its narrative framing and ending; complete original title, dedication, acknowledgments and contents.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   The Stolen Bacillus and Other Incidents

   H. G. Wells · 1895

   Selected tale: The Stolen Bacillus. Retained dated title transcription; no independent physical-copy or first-appearance verification.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Primary authored English fictionThe Stolen Bacillus - complete historical authored textResearch access: 2026-10-21

Image credits

Original AI literary interpretation.