Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

His Life:

When he was 21 years old, Stevenson declared his intention of becoming a writer against the strong objections of his father. Agreeing to study law as a compromise, Stevenson was admitted to the Scottish bar in 1875.

In 1876, Stevenson met Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne, an American woman eleven years his senior. At the time she was separated from her husband and living abroad with her two children. Although Stevenson fell in love with her, Fanny returned to her California home and husband in 1878. In August of the following year, Stevenson received a mysterious cable from her and responded by immediately leaving Scotland for America and in 1880 she and Stevenson were married.

Stevenson brought Fanny back to his own country in 1881. He, Fanny, and her son, Lloyd, eventually settled in a Braemar cottage where Stevenson began writing Treasure Island. Lloyd was confined inside the cottage during a school holiday because of rain, so he amused himself by drawing pictures. Stevenson made the map of an island and the shape of it took his fancy. This was the map that inspired the book.

Stevenson, Fanny, Lloyd, and Stevenson's widowed mother began touring the South Pacific. Eventually, the clan settled on the island of Upolu in Samoa in 1890. At the foot of Mount Vaea, Stevenson had a house built which was called Vailima. Continuing to write, he also became an advocate for the Samoans who named him "Tusitala," teller of tales.

Robert Louis Stevenon died of a cerebral hemorrhage, December 3, 1894, in Apia, Samoa. He was buried in Samoa.

His Books:

Both of these novels have curious origins. A map of an imaginary island gave Stevenson the idea for the first story and a nightmare supplied the premise of the second. These tales also share Stevenson's key theme: the impossibility of identifying and separating good and evil. Treasure Island's Long John Silver is simultaneously a courageous friend and a treacherous cutthroat, and Dr. Jekyll, who is not wholly good but a mixture of good and evil, is eventually ruled by Hyde because of his own moral weakness.

The characters of Silver and Jekyll set standards for complex characters which were adopted by later writers.
"Stevenson's method of describing one character as both a good and evil person was one of his greatest literary contributions."

Aboard a ship, Jim Hawkings sails towards Treasure Island. The voyage goes well until Jim overhears a frightening conversation. He learns that the one-legged man who signed on as the ship¹s cook is really the famous pirate Long John Silver. And worse ­ he learns that the crew are teaming up with Silver to steal the treasure. Can Jim save the gold and his life?

Use this link to read the first paragraph of Treasure Island

Robert Louis Stevenson originally wrote Dr. Jekyll And Mr Hyde as a "chilling shocker." He then burned the draft and, upon his wife's advice, rewrote it as the darkly complex tale it is today. Stark, skillfully woven, this fascinating novel explores the curious turnings of human character through the strange case of Dr. Jekyll, a kindly scientist who by night takes on his stunted evil self, Mr. Hyde. Anticipating modern psychology, Jekyll And Hyde is a brilliantly original study of man's dual nature -- as well as an immortal tale of suspense and terror. Published in 1866, Jekyll And Hyde was an instant success and brought Stevenson his first taste of fame.

After the death of his father, David Balfour sets out to meet his uncle and claim his inheritance. This adventure takes him through the highlands of Scotland where he embarks upon a long journey back from treachery and deceit.
From a reader, "I have heard the book described as a great adventure book. I agree that there is plenty of excitement and suspense. David Balfour naively goes to his uncle after his parents death, and the ensuing drama is thrilling. However, the book is one of my favorites because of the portrayal of true friendship, which David strikes with a patriotic outlaw. David learns that the love of friendship is faithful and true, though it is always human. "

A fierce war rages between two bitter rivals: on one side the House of Lancaster; on the other the House of York. The prize is the crown of England. Young Richard Shelton finds himself torn in his loyalties. In fifteenth-century England, when his father's murderer is revealed to be his guardian, seventeen-year-old Richard Shelton joins the fellowship of the Black Arrow in avenging the death, rescuing the woman he loves, and participating in the struggle between the Yorks and Lancasters in the War of the Roses.

Stevenson’s brooding historical romance demonstrates his most abiding theme—the elemental struggle between good and evil—as it unfolds against a hauntingly beautiful Scottish landscape, amid the fierce loyalties and violent enmities that characterized Scottish history. When two brothers attempt to split their loyalties between the warring factions of the 1745 Jacobite rising, one family finds itself tragically divided. Stevenson’s remarkably vivid characterizations create an acutely moving, psychologically complex work. “The brothers’ characters, not the historical facts, shape the drama.”

Those who have read only Kidnapped might agree with me in saying the ending is rather abrupt. This is because Stevenson intended to write a sequel, and did 6 years after writing Kidnapped.
David Balfour has two parts- The plot of the first part of this book centers on David's efforts to free the innocent James Stewart from being hanged, the second on David's romance with a highland girl named Catriona.

Since their first appearance in 1885, the rhymes of Robert Louis Stevenson have been charming children and adults alike. His joyful exploration of the world speaks directly from a child's point of view--a celebration of the imagination, excitement, and surprising practicality with which children approach life. There are poems about wind, rain, the beauty of stars, and the usefulness of shadows.