Nayland Smith is a fictional character created by British author H. Rider Haggard. He is best known as a detective and adventurer who appears in the Dr. Fu Manchu series. Smith is often portrayed as a determined and resourceful investigator, dedicated to thwarting the nefarious plans of the villainous Fu Manchu. The character first appeared in the novel "The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu," published in 1913. Nayland Smith is typically depicted as a British colonial officer, and his adventures often take place in exotic locations, reflecting the themes of imperialism and adventure prevalent in early 20th-century literature.