The Life and Writings of Robert Louis Stevenson

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Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson is one of the greatest authors to hail from Britain. His writings have been enjoyed by countless since he masterfully wrote them down. Stevenson uses characterization, imagery, and conflict to keep his readers captivated by his works in Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Kidnapped.

Robert Louis Stevenson was born on November 13, 1850 in Scotland. Being the only son of a famous civil engineer, Stevenson was expected to continue the family tradition, but this was against his wishes for his life. At an early age, he exhibited a yearning to write, and although he could not read until he was seven or eight, he composed stories and dedicated them to his parents and nurse. Stevenson was not brought up by the most caring parents, and received most of his adolescent guidance from his nurse. Throughout his child, the nurse cared for him and instilled in him the Christian beliefs that undoubtedly shaped his novels. The nurse would read to him from the bible during his periods of bed rest, as he was a sickly child, and these daily readings instilled in him a love for storytelling. Although he was a sickly child, he managed to receive a decent education through some schooling, private tutoring and at the efforts of his nurse and was able to enroll in Edinburgh University when he was 17.

Having lived in Edinburgh his entire life, he was greatly amazed by the duality of the city. The stark contrast of not only the wealth but also of the people within the two distinct sections drove his fascination with duality itself, and led him to write one of his most famous books. While at Edinburgh University, his father demanded that he study Engineering, but Stevenson did not wi...

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... Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. London: Longman, Green and Co., 1886. Print.

Senior, John. "Treasure Island." Edocere.org. Web. 3 Apr 2011.

Gates, Barbara. "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Victorianweb.com n. pag. Web. 3 Apr 2011.

McMillan, Eric. "Ninteenth Century Thriller." Editoreric.com (2003): n. pag. Web. 3 Apr 2011.

Works Cited

Stevenson, Robert. Treasure Island. London: Castle and Company, 1883. Print.

Stevenson, Robert. Kidnapped. London: Castle and Company, 1886. Print.

Stevenson, Robert. Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. London: Longman, Green and Co., 1886. Print.

Senior, John. "Treasure Island." Edocere.org. Web. 3 Apr 2011.

Gates, Barbara. "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." Victorianweb.com n. pag. Web. 3 Apr 2011.

McMillan, Eric. "Ninteenth Century Thriller." Editoreric.com (2003): n. pag. Web. 3 Apr 2011.

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