Tom Ripley is a character created by Care Experienced Writer Patricia Highfield (1921-1995). He first appeared in the 1955 novel, The Talented Mr Ripley and subsequently in 4 other novels between then and 1991.

Tom Ripley's back story is that he was orphaned at the age of 5 because his parents drowned. He then lived with an auntie, Dottie, who made fun of the boy. He tried to run way as a teenager, eventually making it to New York when he’s 20.

He subsequently becomes a career criminal.

Loosely based on Highsmith’s 1955 novel, the French film Purple Noon (1960) starred Alain Delon as Tom Ripley. This was Delon’s first major film.

In 1999, The Talented Mr Ripley starred Matt Damon as Tom Ripley and received 5 Academy Award nominations.

For some, Delon’s portrayal of Tom Ripley is the better one.