Robert Louis Stevenson
Writer
Robert Louis Stevenson was one of the most-read adventure novelists of the late 1800s. Among his most popular books were Kidnapped (1886), The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886), and Treasure Island (1883). The latter book features Stevenson's famous crafty pirate Long John Silver. Stevenson also published a much-loved book of poems, A Child's Garden of Verse (1885). Having suffered from tuberculosis for much of his life, Stevenson spent many years travelling in search of a climate that would suit his illness. He finally settled in Samoa, where he died in 1894 and is buried.Extra credit: The book that some believe would have been Stevenson's best, Weir of Hermiston, was left unfinished at his death.
Other Scotland-born authors include Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle, Ivanhoe scribe Walter Scott and historian Thomas Carlyle.
Four Good Links
The Robert Louis Stevenson Website
Beautiful place to start -- dig that list of links!
Complete Poems of R.L. Stevenson
Including "A Child's Garden of Verse," plus a brief bio
RLS Biography
Lengthy bio, plus a full bibliography of his works
Robert Louis Stevenson, 1850-1894
Online version of 1994 exhibit from the U. of South Carolina; interesting biographical tidbits
Vital Stats
Birth
Birthplace
Death
3 December 1894
(cerebral hemorrhage, age 44)
Best Known As
The author of Treasure Island
