John Steed is a fictional character, played by Patrick Macnee, on the British series The Avengers and The New Avengers. Steed was a secret agent working for an unnamed branch of British intelligence. He was teamed with a variety of partners, including Dr.

David Keel (1961), Cathy Gale (1962–1964), Emma Peel (1965–1968), Tara King (1968–1969), Purdey, and Mike Gambit (both 1976–1977). One of Steed's trademarks was his impeccable dress, often consisting of a stroller with Bowler (or Coke) and everpresent umbrella. Steed's umbrella, with its distinctive whangee handle, was known for containing a sword, though there were other versions, including one that featured a sound recorder.

(The swordstick featured in the title sequence was made by venerable English umbrella maker James Smith & Sons.) The bowler was metal plated and very hard, it could stop bullets and knock down opponents. His bowler and umbrella were in fact his favourite weapons. Steed was born John Wickham Gascoyne Berresford Steed in the mid-1920s.

A distinguished veteran of World War II, Steed served in the Intelligence Corps and received the Military Cross for single-handedly taking a German machine-gun post. Before leaving the British Army to join The Ministry Steed achieved the rank of Major.

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