Fagin

fa'gin, in Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, a Jew who trains children in crime, appropriating to himself what they procure by thieving and picking pockets. Oliver is first introduced to Fagin by the Artful Dodger. Later, when he has been befriended by Mr. Brownlow, he is abducted by Fagin's agents and a decided effort is made to lead him into a life of crime. Fagin is, in the end, condemned to death for complicity in a murder.