View source for Lara Croft (Classic)

{{Infobox Character
| honorific_prefix          = Lady
| name                      = Lara Croft
| image                     = LaraClassicHeadshot.jpg
| birth_name                =
| birth_date                = February 14th 1968
| birth_place               = Wimbledon, London
| disappeared_date          =
| disappeared_place         =
| death_date                =
| death_place               =
| nationality               = British
| education                 = Schools:
* Private Tutoring (Age 3-11) 
* Wimbledon High School for Girls (Age 11-16) 
* Gordonstoun Boarding School (Age 16-18) 
* Swiss Finishing School (Age 18-21)
| occupation                = Archaeologist 
| height                    = 1.80m
| weight                    = 9st. 4lb / 59.7 kilo
| spouse                    = deceased fiancée: 
Earl of Farringdon
| children                  =
| parents                   = Father:<br />[[Richard James Croft|Henshingley Croft]] <br />Mother: <br />[[Amelia Croft|Lady Croft]] 
| occurrence_game           = "[[Tomb Raider Classic]]", [[The Angel of Darkness]]
| occurrence_movie          =
| occurrence_comic          =
| occurrence_book           =
| actor                     =
| voice                     = [[Shelley Blond]], [[Judith Gibbins]], [[Jonell Elliott]]
| signature                 = LaraCroftSignatur.png
}}
Lady '''Lara Croft''' (born 14 February 1968) is a British archaeologist and treasure hunter, most commonly known for her discovery of several noted artefacts.


==Life==
===Early Life===
Lara Croft was born and raised in Wimbledon, London, in a world of aristocracy. From age 3 to 11 she had private tutoring. From age 11 to 16 Lara attended the Wimbledon High School for Girls. <ref>Lara Croft Magazine</ref> 


===Ireland Adventure===
In 1984, when Lara was 16, she stayed with Winston and his wife in their small cottage in Connussie, off the coast of Ireland, for a while, while repairs were being carried out in Croft Manor. One evening she overheard a talk between [[Father Patrick Dunstan]] and Winston and being intrigued, followed the Father to his boat. Sneaking aboard she accompanied him undetected to the Black Isle, where strange things were happening and the demon [[Verdilet]], who was imprisoned between running water, which he - being a demon - could not cross, was trying to escape.



===Introduction to Archaeology===
Later in 1984, after finishing High School, young Lara requested to accompany renowned archaeologist [[Werner von Croy]], whom she had previously met when he'd lectured at her school, on an expedition to [[Cambodia]], to search for the [[Iris]]. Her parents agreed and it was her first of many expeditions around the globe.

{{Quote|Tomb Raider IV The Last Revelation booklet, pages 6 & 7|[[File:YounglaraTRIV.jpg|225px|thumb|right|Lara in Cambodia]] The daughter of Lord Henshingly Croft, Lara was brought up in the secure world of aristocracy - wanting for nothing she was surrounded by servants, social events and high society.

Having attended Wimbledon High School for Girls from the age of 11 years, Lara's parents decided that now she was 16, she should broaden her education by studying for her A'levels at one of England's most prominent boarding schools. An adventurous soul, Lara found the idea of being sent away from home an exciting prospect. By chance one day Lara came across a copy of National Geographic on the hall table. The front cover featured a familiar name - Professor Werner Von Croy. A respected archaeologist, Von Croy had once lectured at Lara's school to pupils and parents alike. The experience had a profound effect on Lara, triggering a desire to travel to remote locations in search of adventure. In some ways Von Croy had become an inspirational figure for Lara.

As Lara read further, she learned that Von Croy was currently preparing for an archaeological tour across Asia, culminating in a potential new discovery to be made in Cambodia. Unable to contain herself, Lara burst into the room, thrust the article in front of her parents and without hesitation demanded she accompany Von Croy on his expedition. Lord Croft could hardly disagree that travel was an education in itself. As Lara argued the case further, he found himself walking over to the desk and penning a letter to Von Croy, introducing himself as an influential society figure and offering financial assistance in exchange for his daughter's place on the expedition.

Von Croy's reply assured the Henshingly Crofts that the territories were friendly and that he had ample experience to look after both his and Lara's well being. Lara's company as an assistant would be welcome, as was the offer of such a generous cheque. He remembered Lara from his lecture - her incessant yet insightful questions had made quite an impression upon him.

And so it was agreed by all that Lara would accompany Von Croy for the duration of the tour... }}



===Resumed Studies===
After her expedition she resumed her studies, attending Gordonstoun Boarding School, in Scotland, where she discovered her love for climbing, water sports, horse back riding and archery.



===Plane Crash (Age 21)===
After finishing her education in 1991, at the age of 21, Lara went on a skiing trip, but on her way home her plane crashed in the Himalayas and Lara had to survive in the wilderness alone. This event had a big influence on her character and changed her life forever. As a result she did not marry the Earl of Farrington, as intended, but was instead disowned by her parents. <ref>Lara Croft Magazine & Tomb Raider I booklet</ref> 


{{Quote|Tomb Raider I booklet, page 1|Lara Croft, daughter of Lord Henshingly Croft, was raised to be an aristocrat from birth. After attending finishing school at the age of 21, Lara's marriage into wealth has seem assured, but on her way home from a skiing trip her chartered plane had crashed deep in the heart of the [[Himalayas]]. The only survivor, Lara learned how to depend on her wits to stay alive in hostile conditions a world away from her sheltered upbringing. 2 weeks later, when she walked into the village of [[Tokakeriby]] her experience had had a profound effect on her. Unable to stand the claustrophobic suffocating atmosphere of upper-class British society, she realised that she was only truly alive when she was travelling alone. Over the 8 following years she acquired an intimate knowledge of ancient civilisations across the globe. Her family disowned their prodigal daughter, and she turned to writing to fund her trips. Famed for discovering several ancient sites of profound archaeological interest she made a name for herself by publishing travel books and detailed journals of her exploits.}}

After being disowned by her family Lara moved into a manor house left to her by an aunt. She started financing her trips by selling travel books. 


===Tomb Raiding===
From 1991 to 1996 Lara made many important archaeological and histological discoveries. Among others she found the [[Ark of the Covenant]], which can be seen displayed in the hall of Croft Manor in 1996. <ref>Croft Manor Level in Tomb Raider I</ref> She also had a run in with the creature know as Big Foot before 1996. <ref>Magazine shown in-game in the into of Tomb Raider I</ref> 


===Vilcabamba and the Atlantean Scion===
In 1996 Lara discovered the lost City of Vilcabama in the Andes mountain region in Peru, resulting the the find of one part of the Atlantean Scion. Looking for the two remaining parts Lara travelled to Greece, where she explored a giant ruined monastery called St. Francis' Folly and an amphitheatre, as well as a Palace devoted to King Midas, before obtaining the second Scion part. Visiting Egypt and the Sphinx Lara discovered the third and final part of the Scion. Following her adversary [[Jacqueline Natla]] Lara finally managed to get to the lost continent Atlantis, whose secrets she would finally uncover.


===Dagger of Xian===
In 1997 Lara travels to China in search of an artefact called the [[Dagger of Xian]]. During her search she will come across the sunken [[Maria Doria]]. From the wreck she claims the [[Seraph]], an artefact with the power to unlock a door in a Tibetan monastery. Another artefact she discovers, before finally finding the Dagger of Xian is the [[Talion]].


===Meteorite Artefacts=== 
[Tomb Raider III Story]



===Missing in Egypt, Presumed Dead===
[Tomb Raider IV Story]
{{Quote|Tomb Raider Chronicles booklet|It is a cold, dark, rainy day. With the memorial service for Lara Croft over, her old friends retire to the Croft Mansion. Lara's friends gather to reminisce about her little known past exploits. Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, Werner Von Croy co-ordinates the frantic dig-searching for answers buried deep beneath the Egyptian desert...}} 


===Return to the Living===
Under mysterious circumstances Lara returned to her Manor in Surrey. How she escaped her 'tomb' underneath the [[Temple of Horus]] is unknown. According to rumours she spend her time recovering among North African tribes, with a female African shaman helping her to overcome her 'wounds'.


{{Quote|Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness biography excerpt, Official Website|Events in recent times have cast a shadow over Lara's life. She went missing presumed dead after a disastrous field trip to the Egyptian tombs with Von Croy. She refuses to confirm or deny rumors about time spent amongst obscure North African tribes but whatever happened after Egypt she has become almost a recluse since her return to the Croft ancestral home in Surrey.}}



===Death of a Mentor===
{{mainarticle|Lara Croft (The Angel of Darkness)}}
When asked to come to Paris by her former mentor Werner von Croy Lara set out to find what he wanted, slightly resentful that Werner left her for dead back in Egypt. When speaking to Werner the two argued. During the argument Lara lost conciousness, only to awaken over Werner's dead body. Uncertain what happened Lara fled the scene to escape the police - who would immediately suspect her - to uncover the mystery behind the occurrence herself. This whole episode placed Lara in a new situation, one she has never been in before, being suspected of murder and being on the run, trying to clear her name at the same time.

==Appearance==
Lara Croft has brown eyes and brunette hair which she wears in a pony tail. 

==Family Background ==
[[Image:Lord_and_Lady_Croft.jpg|thumb|120px|right|Lara's parents at her memorial]]
Lara Croft is the daughter of Lord Henshingly Croft and Lady Amelia Croft (née DeMornay).



==Friends and Enemies==
Her longest friend is Lara's butler [[Winston Smith]] who has been serving the Croft family since young age. His family has been in the Croft's employment for generations.

Another of Lara's long time friends is the computer genius [[Zip]]. He first helped her in 1997, when she invaded the [[Von Croy Industries]] headquarters in New York via the roof.

[[Werner von Croy]], who was once Lara's mentor, turned from friend to enemy. Shortly before he was murdered, he tried to get back into contact with Lara.


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