ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Biographics Robert Louis Stevenson: Living Life Through Imagination
Robert Louis Stevenson is a name that resonates with many readers as an introduction to classic literature. His stories, like Kidnapped and Treasure Island, are not just classics; they are filled with adventure and mystery. These tales make you wish you were one of his characters, sailing the seas, hunting for treasure, or fighting for your legacy. While his works are set against real historical events, such as the Jacobite rising of 1745, they also spark a sense of imagination, adventure, and justice.
Stevenson’s life story is as fascinating as his books. Born on November 13, 1850, in Edinburgh, he was the only child of middle-class parents. His mother came from an educated family, and his father was an engineer who built lighthouses along Scotland’s coast. They lived in a beautiful Georgian home at 17 Heriot Row.
However, Stevenson’s childhood was not as adventurous as his stories. He was initially healthy but soon developed severe respiratory problems that affected his entire life. Confined indoors, he was cared for by a nurse who greatly influenced him. Instead of outdoor adventures, he lived through stories and imagination.
Historians believe Stevenson suffered from bronchiectasis, a condition worsened by dust and air particles. His caregivers kept windows closed to avoid drafts, which might have deprived him of fresh air that could have helped.
His nurse, Alison Cunningham, known as Cummy, played a crucial role in his life. She entertained him with ghost stories and supernatural tales, fueling his imagination. Despite his illness, Stevenson began writing at a young age, dictating stories to his mother. His creativity was sparked by his vivid imagination and the stories he heard during sleepless nights.
Stevenson was a natural writer, but his parents hoped he would follow his father’s footsteps into engineering. He enrolled at the University of Edinburgh but found university life unappealing. Instead, he socialized and met other writers, including J.M. Barrie, who would later write Peter Pan.
In 1871, Stevenson told his parents he wanted to be a writer. They agreed but insisted he have a backup plan, so he studied law and completed his degree in 1875.
After graduating, Stevenson sought adventure. He planned a canoe trip from Antwerp to northern France and later traveled to Grez-sur-Loing, a town popular with artists. There, he met Fanny Van De Grift Osbourne, an American woman with a complicated past.
Despite their age difference and her marital status, they developed a deep bond. After two years, Fanny returned to California, but Stevenson was heartbroken. He embarked on a hiking adventure that inspired his book Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes.
In 1879, Stevenson received a telegram from California: Fanny was ill, and her husband had not changed. Stevenson traveled to America to be with her. By December, Fanny had divorced her husband, and she married Stevenson six months later.
They faced challenges, including Stevenson’s declining health, but he continued to write. During this time, he published famous works like Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
In 1887, after his father’s death, Stevenson and his family moved to Samoa. There, he became a beloved community member and was given the title Tusitala, meaning “teller of tales.” He engaged in local politics and activism, believing the climate would improve his health.
Stevenson and Fanny enjoyed life in Samoa, but tensions existed. Fanny aspired to be an artist, and Stevenson’s comments about her ambitions caused friction. Despite these challenges, Stevenson continued to write, though his later works did not match his earlier success.
On December 3, 1894, Stevenson collapsed and passed away, likely from a cerebral hemorrhage. He was buried in Samoa, with an epitaph he wrote for himself. Fanny and her children stayed in Samoa for a few months before her ashes were buried beside him, marking the resting place of a man who wrote some of the world’s most beloved stories.
Imagine you are a character in one of Robert Louis Stevenson’s stories. Write a short story or a diary entry about an adventure you embark on. Use vivid descriptions and incorporate elements of mystery and exploration. Share your story with the class and discuss how your imagination helped you create the narrative.
Research the historical context of the Jacobite rising of 1745, which serves as a backdrop for some of Stevenson’s works. Prepare a presentation that explains the key events, figures, and outcomes of this historical event. Highlight how Stevenson incorporated these elements into his stories and discuss their impact on the narrative.
In groups, role-play different stages of Robert Louis Stevenson’s life, such as his decision to become a writer or his move to Samoa. Each group should present a scene that explores the challenges and motivations behind these decisions. Reflect on how these choices influenced his writing and personal life.
Create an illustration or a series of drawings that depict scenes from Stevenson’s novels or his life in Samoa. Use your artistic skills to capture the essence of adventure and imagination that characterize his works. Display your artwork in the classroom and explain the inspiration behind your creations.
Participate in a debate on the topic: “Imagination is the key to overcoming adversity.” Use examples from Stevenson’s life and works to support your arguments. Discuss how his imagination helped him cope with illness and how it can be a powerful tool for personal growth and resilience.
**Robert Louis Stevenson: Living Life Through Imagination**
Robert Louis Stevenson holds a special place in the hearts and minds of many readers. He often served as an introduction to classic literature. Stories like *Kidnapped* and *Treasure Island* are not only considered classics but are also full of adventure and intrigue—the kind of stories that make you wish you were one of his characters, sailing the high seas, searching for buried treasure, or fighting to reclaim your legacy. His works are undoubtedly classic literature, and while many are set against the backdrop of real events, such as the Jacobite rising of 1745, they also evoke a sense of grand imagination, a longing for adventure, and a deep sense of justice.
It’s time to explore the life of this 19th-century Scottish writer. You’ll find there’s a reason he excelled at telling some of the most imaginative tales, often set against epic historical backdrops. For much of his life, his world was limited to what he could see—or dream—from his sickbed.
**An Ill Child Who Lived Through Imagination**
Childhood often lays the groundwork for a lifetime, and for Robert Louis Stevenson, that was certainly the case. He was born on November 13, 1850, as the only child of middle-class parents. His mother came from a highly educated family, while his father was an engineer involved in building deep-sea lighthouses along Scotland’s coast. The family lived at 17 Heriot Row in Edinburgh, a place anyone with an appreciation for Georgian architecture would admire.
However, Stevenson’s childhood was quite different from the adventurous scenarios he imagined. Initially a healthy boy, he soon began suffering from severe respiratory problems that would shape his childhood and the rest of his life. He spent much of his formative years being cared for by a nurse who would significantly influence his adult life. Instead of engaging in outdoor adventures, he was often confined indoors, wrapped in blankets, learning about his fragility.
Historians have debated the specifics of his illness. Initially diagnosed with tuberculosis, it is now suspected that he suffered from bronchiectasis, a condition often exacerbated by dust and air particles. His caregivers, fearing drafts, kept the windows closed, leaving one to wonder if fresh air might have made a difference.
Stevenson’s childhood nurse, Alison Cunningham—affectionately known as Cummy—had a profound impact on him. She lived with the family for two decades and loved Stevenson as if he were her own son. Although confined to his home, Cummy entertained him with a variety of tales, including ghost stories and supernatural tales, which fueled his imagination.
From a young age, Stevenson struggled with insomnia and was often kept awake by illness and feverish visions. His father would invent conversations with imaginary characters to soothe him, while Cummy filled his sleepless nights with stories. This mix of storytelling and fevered imagination likely contributed to his creative development.
Stevenson began writing at the tender age of six, dictating a tale called “A History of Moses” to his mother. His illness not only inspired him but also magnified his ability to write. He described a phenomenon of splitting into “myself” and “the other fellow,” a concept that would resonate with readers of *Jekyll and Hyde*. For Stevenson, this duality was not frightening; it fueled his creativity.
**Life as a Writer: A Backup Plan**
With hindsight, it seems clear that Stevenson was a natural writer, but this belief was not always shared by his parents. They hoped he would follow in his father’s footsteps and become an engineer. Resigned to their wishes, he enrolled at the University of Edinburgh to study engineering. However, it quickly became apparent that university life was not for him. Instead of attending lectures, he preferred to socialize.
One day, while walking in Edinburgh, he met another student, JM Barrie, who would later write *Peter Pan*. Barrie noted that some writers possess an indescribable charm, and many who met Stevenson were captivated by him.
In 1871, Stevenson informed his parents that he would not pursue engineering after all; he wanted to be a writer. While they were not entirely opposed to the idea, they insisted he have a backup plan, so he studied law, completing his degree in 1875.
**Love Comes When You Least Expect It**
Just a year after graduating, Stevenson’s life took a significant turn. He sought adventure, wanting to experience the things he had dreamed about as a child. He planned a canoe trip from Antwerp to northern France and later traveled to Grez-sur-Loing, a town favored by the artistic community, where he met Fanny Van De Grift Osbourne.
Fanny had her own tumultuous history. After marrying an American military officer, she moved to Nevada with her children but left him due to his infidelities. In Grez-sur-Loing, she met Stevenson, who was fresh out of law school and still figuring out his writing career. Despite their age difference and her complicated marital status, they developed a deep bond.
Stevenson courted Fanny for two years, but she eventually returned to California to give her husband another chance. Heartbroken, Stevenson embarked on a hiking adventure that inspired his second book, *Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes*.
In 1879, he received a telegram from California: Fanny was ill, her husband had not changed, and she regretted leaving Europe. In a grand romantic gesture, Stevenson traveled to America to be with her. By December of that year, she had divorced Samuel Osbourne, and less than six months later, she married Stevenson.
Their early months were filled with highs and lows. While living in Napa Valley, Stevenson wrote *The Silverado Squatters*, but he also became seriously ill, coughing up blood. His health continued to decline, and the family moved several times in search of a more suitable climate.
During this time, Stevenson published some of his most famous works, including *Treasure Island* in 1883 and *The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* and *Kidnapped* in 1886. The inspiration for *Treasure Island* came during a rainy holiday in a small Scottish town, where a map was drawn, leading to the creation of one of the literary world’s most beloved pirate tales.
**Samoa’s Setting Sun**
In 1887, after the death of his father, Stevenson and his family left Britain for America and then the South Pacific, eventually settling in Samoa. There, he became a cherished member of the community and was given the title of Tusitala, or “teller of tales.” He immersed himself in local politics and activism, believing the climate would benefit his health.
Stevenson and Fanny enjoyed a vibrant life in Samoa, hosting gatherings and celebrating various occasions. However, underlying tensions existed. Fanny aspired to be an artist, and Stevenson’s comments about her artistic ambitions caused friction.
As time passed, Fanny struggled with her mental health, while Stevenson continued to write, though he never matched the success of his earlier works. His later publications were primarily historical or travel essays, and he grew increasingly anxious about finances.
On December 3, 1894, Stevenson collapsed after helping Fanny in the kitchen. He passed away that evening, likely from a cerebral hemorrhage. He was buried in Samoa, with an epitaph he wrote for himself inscribed on his grave.
Fanny and her children stayed in Samoa for a few months after his death, but she later had her ashes buried beside him. Their reunion was celebrated in Samoa, marking the resting place of the man who wrote the world’s most famous tale of pirates and buried treasure.
Stevenson – Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer, best known for works such as “Treasure Island” and “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.” – Robert Louis Stevenson’s vivid storytelling has captivated readers for generations, making him a staple in the study of classic literature.
Literature – Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit. – The study of literature allows students to explore diverse cultures and historical periods through the lens of storytelling.
Imagination – The faculty or action of forming new ideas, images, or concepts not present to the senses. – In literature, imagination is the key that unlocks the door to new worlds and experiences beyond the confines of reality.
Adventure – An unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity. – The novel “Treasure Island” is a classic tale of adventure, filled with pirates, hidden maps, and the quest for buried treasure.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding history through literature provides insight into the societal values and conflicts of different eras.
Writer – A person who has written a particular text or who writes books, articles, etc. – As a writer, Stevenson had the unique ability to weave tales that combined elements of adventure and psychological depth.
Childhood – The state or period of being a child. – Stevenson’s “A Child’s Garden of Verses” captures the innocence and wonder of childhood through poetry.
Illness – A disease or period of sickness affecting the body or mind. – Despite his chronic illness, Stevenson continued to write prolifically, producing some of his most famous works during periods of poor health.
Treasure – A quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects. – The search for treasure in “Treasure Island” symbolizes the characters’ deeper quest for adventure and self-discovery.
Samoa – An island nation in the central South Pacific, where Stevenson spent the last years of his life. – Stevenson’s time in Samoa greatly influenced his later works and his understanding of colonialism and native cultures.
