Robert Louis Stevenson


Guide Note:

Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, a novelist, poet, and composer, was greatly admired by his peers long after his untimely death at the age of 44.

Fast Facts:

  1. Born: November 13, 1850
  2. Birthplace: Edinburgh, Scotland
  3. Published over 12 novels and 20 short stories as well as poetry and non-fiction
  4. Died: December 3, 1894
  5. Most Popular Works: Treasure Island, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, New Arabian Nights, and A Children's Garden of Verses

Background

Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was born in Edinburgh Scotland to Thomas Stevenson, a third generation lighthouse engineer. His maternal grandfather, Lewis Balfour, was a minister. These two backgrounds merged in Stevenson to formulate a love for the sea and the adventure of the open road, as well as his propensity for preaching. He also supposedly inherited a lung issue from his mother, which some have considered to be tuberculosis.

Personal Life

In 1875, Stevenson passed the examinations required for admission into the bar. He married in 1880, taking Fannie Vandergrift Osbourne as his wife. During his last years he purchased 400 acres in the Samoan Islands where he hoped to gain some of his health back. He died on Upolu Island in Samoa in 1894.

Epitaph

"Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you grave for me:

Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill."

The Mahalo Top 7

  1. The Victorian Web: Robert Louis Stevenson
  2. Wikipedia: Robert Louis Stevenson
  3. Official Site: Robert Louis Stevenson Silverado Museum
  4. Official Site: Stevenson House
  5. National Library of Scotland: Robert Louis Stevenson  Michael Arcand: History, pictures and more!
  6. Official Site: Robert Louis Stevenson California State Park
  7. Fan Site: Robert Louis Stevenson

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Related Pages on Mahalo

Treasure Island | Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde