During his youth, Arthur Hastings attended Eton College in the English county of Berkshire, known for its well-kept traditions. Captain Hastings is employed by the War Department and lives together with his friend, Hercule Poirot, in an apartment on Farraway Street 14, London.

The typically English and seemingly conservative Hastings is described by writer Agatha Christie as being significantly taller than Poirot, and having a straight back and broad shoulders.

Hastings enjoys smoking pipes and whiskey and soda. Just like Poirot, Captain Hastings usually wears suits, but he still never looks as elegant as the famous detective.

The good-natured and often gullible Hastings proves himself over and over again as a loyal and faithful friend to Poirot. Just as Dr. Watson, the friend of Sherlock Holmes, many of the stories are told from Hastings’ perspective.

On behalf of the readers of the story, he often interprets Poirot’s hints falsely, which lead him to incorrect conclusions. The advantage here is that Hercule Poirot can explain to his friend, and, thus, the reader, some considerations and conclusions in detail.

After Captain Hastings made the acquaintance of American actress and acrobat Dulcie Duveen’s, also known by her stage name of Cinderella, the two fell in love and eventually got married. After their wedding, the couple left rainy England and moved to Argentina, where they will run a ranch.