Stevenson, Robert Louis, 1850-1894

Variant names
Dates:
Birth 1850-11-13
Death 1894-12-03
Gender:
Male
Britons
English

Biographical notes:

Robert Lewis (later changed to "Louis") Balfour Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on November 13, 1850. He attended the University of Edinburgh intending to become a civil engineer like his father, but ill health curtailed his studies and prompted him to travel to warmer climates. This inspired Stevenson to write stories, novels and essays about his travels. While in France he met American artist Fanny Osbourne. The two fell in love, and in 1879 Stevenson traveled to California, where he and Fanny reunited and married after her divorce was granted. In subsequent years the Stevensons traveled to the South Pacific and settled in Samoa, where Robert died on December 3, 1894. In the meantime he wrote numerous novels, poems, and articles, among the best known of which are "The Silverado Squatters," and especially "Treasure Island."

From the description of Stevenson's "Amateur Emigrant" corrected galleys, 1880. (California State Library). WorldCat record id: 648024611

Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist.

From the description of My dear mother, 1878. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367330279

From the description of Cash draft made out in favor of H. Dines, 1892 June 7. (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center (HRC); University of Texas at Austin). WorldCat record id: 86168046

Memoir written at the age of 30 while RLS lived in San Francisco.

From the description of Memoirs of himself : manuscript, 1880. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 78557169

Markheim was meant to be in the 1884 Christmas edition of Pall Mall, but the magazine fell short of space and never printed this story.

From the description of Markheim : manuscript, [1884] (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 612763993

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), Scottish author.

From the description of Robert Louis Stevenson collection, 1765-1983 (bulk 1852-1931). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702201556

Scottish essayist, novelist and poet.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Paris, to his mother, 1878 Jun. 22. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270575234

Stevenson was born in Edinburgh and travelled extensively beginning in 1878 despite ill health. Stevenson is best known for his children's books, "Treasure Island" (1883) and "Kidnapped" (1886).

From the description of Correspondence, 1879-1886. (Temple University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 122348092

Stephen G. Cary (1915-2002) graduated from Germantown Friends School in 1933. He received a bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in chemistry from Haverford in 1937 and a master's in international administration from Columbia University in 1943. He was a conscientious objector during World War II and served in the Civilian Public Service from 1942-1946. Between 1946 and 1969, Cary was an integral part of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). With Willis Weatherford, he served as chief of American Quaker Relief Operations in Europe from 1946-1948, overseeing work in 10 countries dealing with the aftermath of World War II. Cary was chairman of the AFSC from 1979-1991. Cary began his service to Haverford College as a member of the Board of Managers from 1955-1969. In 1969 he joined the staff as vice president of development, and became vice president of finance and development in 1974. He was named acting president of Haverford from 1977-1978. He served as senior vice president of the College from 1979-81 and was clerk of Haverford's faculty meetings during these three years.

From the guide to the Stephen G. Cary papers, 1930-2002, (Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections)

Scottish author, novelist, poet, short story writer.

From the guide to the Robert Louis Stevenson Collection, 1878-1880, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)

Scottish poet and novelist.

From the description of Ticonderoga : AMs, [ca. 1887]. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122525261

From the description of Autobiographical fragment : AMs : San Francisco, [1879]. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122442966

From the description of The isle of voices : AMs : Samoa, 1892. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122617168

From the description of Envoy : AMs, [ca. 1887]. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122684217

From the description of Desiderata : AMsS and broadside, 1873-[ca. 1914]. (Rosenbach Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 122690149

Stevenson and his family resided in Saranac Lake 1887-1888 while he was under the care of Dr. E.L. Trudeau for tuberculosis.

From the description of Memorabilia, 1851-1929. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155480010

English writer.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Bournemouth, to Mr. Chatto, [1887 May 4]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270854568

From the description of Poem XLI from Songs of Travel : autograph manuscript : [n.p., n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270858272

From the description of Autograph letter signed : fancifully, "Skerryvore P.Q., Soudan N.W., Bulgaria, Schloss Platen, X.Y.Z.", to an unidentified recipient [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270854552

From the description of Autograph letter signed and portion of an autograph letter : Malvern and [n.p.], to his cousin Robert Allan Mowbray Stevenson, 1873 Jan. and [1868]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270854572

From the description of Autograph letter signed : [n.p.], to Mr. [Edward Livermore] Burlingame, [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270854557

From the description of Poem X from songs of travel : autograph manuscript : [n.p., n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270858269

From the description of Autograph letter signed : [n.p.], to Sidney Colvin, [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270854561

From the description of Copy of an autograph letter signed : [Vailima], to [James Matthew] Barrie, [1894] July 29. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270857516

From the description of Autograph letters signed (5) : [Edinburgh] Barbizon, France, and Davos-Platz, to his mother, 1873 Dec. 14-1883 Nov. 22. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270854575

Scottish essayist, novelist, and poet.

From the description of "Logie o' Buchan." : autograph manuscript. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270569616

From the description of Check, 1892 June 15. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122354348

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894), author and traveller, was the son of Thomas Stevenson of Edinburgh and entered Edinburgh University in 1867 as the pupil of Fleeming Jenkin. After abandoning the study of engineering and law he began to travel widely. Though very ill he wrote stories and essays and in 1880 married Mrs Osbourne. He established his position as an author with The strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and Kidnapped in 1886. After further travels in the Pacific he died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage and was buried on Mount Vaea. For a full assessment of his life and work see the Dictionary of National Biography

From the guide to the Correspondence and literary manuscripts relating to Robert Louis Stevenson, 1898-1923, (Leeds University Library)

Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, essayist, dramatist, and poet.

From the description of Robert Louis Stevenson collection of papers, [1873]-[1944] bulk (1881-1917). (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 144652073

From the guide to the Robert Louis Stevenson collection of papers, 1873]-[1944, 1881-1917, (The New York Public Library. Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature.)

Author.

From the description of Letter of Robert Louis Stevenson, 1891 March. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71064593

Author.

Stevenson resided in Saranac Lake from 1887-1888 for tuberculosis treatment.

From the description of Robert Louis Stevenson collection, 1878-1936. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155480399

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Subjects:

  • Publishers and publishing
  • Authors, American
  • Authors, American
  • Authors and publishers
  • Authors and publishers
  • Authors, English
  • Authors, English
  • Authors, Scottish
  • Authors, Scottish
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  • Music
  • Novelists, Scottish
  • Novelists, Scottish
  • Prose
  • Quakers
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  • Samoans
  • Scottish literature
  • Scottish literature
  • Scottish poetry 19th century
  • Scottish verse
  • Songs
  • Tuberculosis
  • Vietnam War, 1961-1975
  • War tax resistance
  • Authors, American
  • Authors and publishers
  • Authors, English
  • Authors, Scottish
  • English literature
  • Letters
  • Novelists, Scottish
  • Scottish literature

Occupations:

  • Actors
  • Authors
  • Librettists
  • Novelists
  • Poets

Places:

  • New York (State)--Saranac Lake (as recorded)
  • Scotland (as recorded)
  • New York (State) (as recorded)
  • Hawaii (as recorded)
  • Hawaii (as recorded)
  • Samoa (as recorded)
  • Samoa (as recorded)
  • Vietnam (as recorded)
  • Hawaii--Molokai (as recorded)
  • California (as recorded)
  • United States (as recorded)
  • Polynesia (as recorded)
  • Samoan Islands (as recorded)
  • Hawaii (as recorded)
  • Samoa (as recorded)

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