Franklin Blake is a fictional character from the novel "The Moonstone," written by Wilkie Collins and published in 1868. He is a young Englishman and the nephew of the wealthy Lady Verinder, who inherits a valuable diamond known as the Moonstone. Blake plays a central role in the story as he becomes embroiled in the mystery surrounding the diamond's theft. In the novel, Franklin is depicted as a kind-hearted and honorable man, deeply in love with Rachel Verinder, Lady Verinder's daughter. His character is complex, as he grapples with issues of trust and betrayal throughout the narrative, ultimately seeking to clear his name and uncover the truth behind the diamond's disappearance.