The Life - Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (2024)

A brief summary of Stevenson’s life. For more information see our recommendedbiographies.

Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was born November 13, 1850 in Edinburgh, Scotland and was the only child of respectable middle-class parents. His father, Thomas, belonged to a family of engineers who had built most of the deep-sea lighthouses around the coast of Scotland. His mother, Margaret Isabella Balfour, came from a family of lawyers and church ministers.

Throughout his childhood, Stevenson suffered chronic health issues which confined him to his bed. These illnesses, frequently described as a “weak chest”, persisted throughout his life, taking the form of fevers, coughing, bronchial infections, and eventually the “Bluidy Jack”, a hemorrhaging of the lungs.

As a result of his persistent poor health, Stevenson had a limited formal education. Instead he was typically educated by private tutors and nannies, none so beloved as Allison Cunningham, whom he nicknamed “Cummy.” Cummy would regularly read to him from the Old Testament, Catechisms, and Bunyan’s Pilgrim Progress. This somewhat isolated childhood led to the development of a healthy imagination through which dreams of being a writer developed.

The Life - Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (1)
The Life - Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (2)
The Life - Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (3)
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In 1867, Stevenson entered the University of Edinburgh as a science student where it was understood he would follow in the family tradition to become a civil engineer and join the family building firm. However, Stevenson was disinterested in the courses and turned his attention to French literature, Scottish history, and the revolutionary works of Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer.

In addition to a diversion in his studies, he also began to develop a more bohemian appearance, growing his hair long and wearing a velvet jacket when about town. He also developed more atheist beliefs, diverging from those of his parents, and began spending more time in the lounge of the Speculative Society – a group for orators and writers at the university.

When Stevenson finally confided to his father that he did not want to become an engineer and instead wanted to pursue writing, his father was, understandably, upset. They eventually agreed that a professional degree was needed and so Louis would study law.

During summer holidays, Louis would go to France to be in the company of other young artists, writers, and painters. There he worked on essays and, upon returning to Europe, spent much of his time writing book reviews and articles while experimenting with short stories. His first published work, an essay called Roads,and his first published volumes were works of travel writing.

In 1875, Louis left university having “passed advocate” and earning a law degree. Never planning to practice law however, he continued to write – always keeping two books with him “one to read, and one to write in.”

Seeking an adventure to inspire his writing, Stevenson embarked on a canoe trip from Antwerp, Belgium, to northern France with his friend, Walter Simpson. This trip would later inspire his workAn Inland Voyage.

In September 1876 Stevenson found his way to the small artist town of Grez-sur-Loing, outside Paris, to meet with his cousin Robert “Bob” Alan Mowbray Stevenson.

Unexpectedly, it was here that Louis was introduced to a married American woman, Fanny Osbourne, and her two children, Belle and Lloyd. At the time, Louis was twenty-five and Fanny, thirty-six. Despite this age difference, Louis fell in love with the intelligent and independent American “new woman” who was separated from her philandering husband.

For two years, their relationship bloomed until Fanny was forced to return to California and her husband. Having lost Fanny, Louis took his broken heart to the south of France for a walking tour. This journey would inspire his workTravels with a Donkey in the Cevennes.

A year later word came from Fanny that inspired Stevenson to travel to America in pursuit of his love. A steamer from Glasgow brought him to New York. He then traveled by rail and carriage until arriving in California. His arduous journey west would later inspired his work,The Amateur Emigrant.Reunited with Fanny after some time, Fanny received her divorce from her husband in December 1879 and in May 1880 the two were married in San Francisco.

The following months were spent in Napa Valley where Louis would pen his next workThe Silverado Squatters.

In August 1880 the Stevensons returned to England. Stevenson and his wife had wintered in the South of France and lived in England from 1880-1887, a period of time marked by Stevenson’s poor health and literary achievements. His first novel,Treasure Island,was published in 1883, followed byA Child’s Garden of Verses(1886),Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886),andKidnapped (1886). Stevenson’s work was widely popular and received great critical acclaim.

Upon his father’s death in 1887, Stevenson and his family left England for America where he stayed for one year. In June 1888, accompanied by Fanny, Lloyd, and Margaret, he set sail for the South Seas.

Enchanted with life in the South Seas and convinced he could not endure another winter in Scotland, in January of 1890 Stevenson purchased an estate in Apia, Samoa. The climate of the tropics did wonders for Stevenson’s health and the regular postal service meant he could continue regular correspondence with his publishers.

Stevenson lived on his estate, Vailima,in the hills of Apia until his death at age 44 in 1894. While at Vailima, Stevenson wrote a great deal completing two of his finest novellas, The Beach of Falesa and the Ebb Tide (written with Lloyd) as well as two novels, The Wrecker and Catriona (aka David Balfour). He also completed the short stories, The Bottle Imp and The Isle of Voices.

On December 3, 1894. Louis seemed in excellent spirits when he suddenly collapsed from a violent pain in his head and he lost consciousness. Stevenson, having suffered a brain hemorrhage and died soon afterwards. He was interred the following morning at the top of Mount Vaea.

The Life - Robert Louis Stevenson Museum (2024)

FAQs

What happened to Robert Louis Stevenson's wife after he died? ›

She eventually sold their home and returned to California. She subsequently built homes in San Francisco, Gilroy, and Santa Barbara and spent the rest of her life devoted to her husband's legacy. Fanny passed peacefully in her home, Stonehedge, on February 8, 1914 in Montecito (Santa Barbara).

What caused Robert Louis Stevenson's death? ›

Death in 1894

Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson (known as Robert Louis Stevenson), author, died on 3 December 1894 at Vailima, Apia, Samoan Islands, aged 44. The entry in the statutory Foreign Register of Marriages gives his wife's name as Fanny Matilda van de Grift or Osbourne and the cause of death as apoplexia.

Where is Robert Louis Stevenson's grave? ›

He was buried on top of Mount Vaea, overlooking the sea. Today, the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum includes excerpts from his work and family memorabilia.

Where did Robert Louis Stevenson live most of his life? ›

Stevenson lived on his estate, Vailima, in the hills of Apia until his death at age 44 in 1894. While at Vailima, Stevenson wrote a great deal completing two of his finest novellas, The Beach of Falesa and the Ebb Tide (written with Lloyd) as well as two novels, The Wrecker and Catriona (aka David Balfour).

What happened to Stevenson's grandfather? ›

These experiences informed his belief that "each person in our society is more than the worst thing they've ever done." When Stevenson was 16, his maternal grandfather, Clarence L. Golden, was stabbed to death in his Philadelphia home during a robbery.

What religion was RL Stevenson? ›

More significantly, he had come to reject Christianity and declared himself an atheist.

Why did Robert Louis Stevenson move to Samoa? ›

RLS chose Samoa because he liked the people, it was not too “civilized” and had a regular mail service (essential for his connections with agents, editors and publishers). Because of the great cost of the Vailima house and the extended family that lived there, RLS often felt under pressure to keep writing.

Did Robert Louis Stevenson have any children? ›

Robert Louis Stevenson had no biological children but had stepchildren from his wife Fanny. Before Fanny met Robert Louis Stevenson, she was married to a man named Samuel Osbourne, together they had three children Isobel, Lloyd, and Hervey.

What is the Samoan name for Robert Louis? ›

Taking the Samoan name “Tusitala” – “writer of tales” – Stevenson sought out local stories (chieftains and their families became guests at his house), but he could give as good as he got.

What is the famous quote by Robert Louis Stevenson? ›

Robert Louis Stevenson's quote, "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant," offers a profound insight into our approach to life.

Why did Robert Louis Stevenson change his name? ›

As a child, Stevenson suffered from tuberculosis. At the age of 18 he dropped "Balfour" from his name and changed the spelling of "Lewis" to "Louis". From about the same time he began to refer to himself as RLS.

Which disease did Stevenson suffer from while he was writing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? ›

Robert Louis Stevenson for many years had to lead the life of an invalid. He most likely suffered from hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia rather than from tuberculosis. His illness, however, did not prevent him from writing one of the most famous horror novels: "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde".

What happened to Mrs Stevenson? ›

The man grabbed her and drew a blade through her she immediately fell and started bleeding all over the floor the man went into her room and started taking her jewelry. The man then cleaned up and left the house with Mrs. Stevenson on the floor dead.

How many children did Stevenson's grandmother have? ›

How many children did Stevenson's grandmother have? Nine kids. What month did Stevenson first visit death row? December 1983.

What are some interesting facts about Robert Louis Stevenson? ›

7 Things You Didn't Know About Robert Louis Stevenson
  • He invented the sleeping bag. ...
  • He almost died on a goat ranch in Monterey, California. ...
  • He married an Indiana woman 10 years his senior. ...
  • He used a pseudonym when Treasure Island was first published. ...
  • He wrote The Strange Case of Dr.
Jan 21, 2014

What was Stevenson's grandmother's legacy to him? ›

Stevenson's grandmother imparted a significant legacy to him, one that emphasized the importance of diligence and the value of doing things well. This legacy of resilience and commitment to quality has shaped much of Stevenson's work ethic and core values.

References

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