Reginald Jeeves (or Reggie, as he is referred to by a Mr Brinkley) is a fictional character created by British comic writer P. G. Wodehouse. More commonly referred to as Jeeves, he is the quintessential gentleman's personal gentleman or valet. (A valet is a servant who incidentally deals with clothes and does some 'menial' tasks, though his primary function is direct attendance on his master. As Bertie spends quite a lot of the time in America it is presumably pronunced val-lay).
Jeeves is mainly the servant to Bertie Wooster, a rich, foolish, foppish but good-hearted post-First World War bachelor (though in the style of the twenties), with whom he makes up one of the great comic duos of English literature. Jeeves uses his near-omniscience to get Bertie out of tricky situations, usually out of unsuitable engagements (to, for example, Madeline Bassett).
Jeeves is well-known for his convoluted speech and for quoting from, among other things, the plays of Shakespeare and famous Romantic Poets. He also has distinct opinions about certain items that Bertie adopts, such as a moustache, handkerchiefs with initials on, straw boater, an alpine hat etc. Should an item be disapproved by Jeeves it is certain that Bertie will dispose of it some way or another before the story is up.
Jeeves is a member of the Junior Ganymede Club (Ganymede was the cup-bearer for Zeus), a club for butlers and valets, where he has to write down all the wrongdoings of his employer.
Jeeves has been portrayed on television series by Stephen Fry in the early 1990s and by Dennis Price in the 1960s.
The character's propensity for wisdom and knowledge is so well known that it inspired the search website Ask Jeeves.
