The Astonishing Life of Robert Louis Stevenson: From Author to Adventurous Explorer

Robert Louis Stevenson, famous for his literary masterpiece "Treasure Island," was not only a renowned writer but also a daring explorer. His life was filled with extraordinary experiences that shaped his unique writing style and earned him a place among the greatest authors and adventurers of all time.

The Early Years

Born on November 13, 1850, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Robert Louis Stevenson grew up in a family deeply rooted in literature. His father, Thomas Stevenson, was a lighthouse engineer, and his mother, Margaret Isabella Balfour, came from a family of prominent Scottish religious leaders.

Despite his frail health during childhood due to respiratory problems, Stevenson exhibited a strong passion for writing from an early age. His vivid imagination and love for adventure drew him to create fascinating tales that captured the hearts of readers from around the world.

Robert Louis Stevenson: A Biography (Explorers Book 4)

by Frank McLynn(Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1352 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	783 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

Taking the Literary World by Storm

Stevenson's breakthrough as an author came with the publication of his first full-length novel, "Treasure Island," in 1883. The thrilling story of young Jim Hawkins and his encounter with the legendary pirate Long John Silver became an instant success and remains a classic in English literature.

With the unprecedented success of "Treasure Island," Stevenson's writing career took off like a ship sailing full speed ahead. He continued to captivate readers with other notable works, including "Kidnapped" and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," which further solidified his place in literary history.

The Call of Adventure

Despite his triumphs as an author, Stevenson could not ignore the longing for adventure and exploration that burned within him. In 1888, he set out on a journey that would stay with him for the remainder of his life.

Stevenson embarked on multiple voyages across the Pacific Ocean and ventured into remote and uncharted territories. His thirst for discovery brought him to places such as Hawaii, where he fell in love with the beautiful islands and their vibrant culture.

During his travels, Stevenson witnessed the harsh realities of colonialism and the impact of Western influence on indigenous people. These experiences shaped his views and led him to advocate for the rights of oppressed communities through his writing.

The Legacy Lives On

Despite his untimely death at the age of 44, Robert Louis Stevenson left behind an enduring legacy. His contributions to literature and exploration continue to inspire generations of writers, adventurers, and thinkers.

Stevenson's ability to transport readers to mesmerizing worlds through his words remains unmatched. His works are celebrated for their engaging plots, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes that delve into the depths of human nature and society.

Moreover, Stevenson's adventurous spirit continues to inspire individuals to step out of their comfort zones and seek new experiences. His dedication to exploration serves as a reminder to embrace the unknown and seize the opportunities that lie beyond familiar shores.

Today, enthusiasts of Stevenson's work can visit various destinations that hold significance in his life, from Scotland, where he spent his formative years, to Samoa, where he eventually settled and wrote until his passing.

Robert Louis Stevenson's unique blend of literary brilliance and adventurous spirit has secured him a place in history as one of the most remarkable figures of the 19th century. His ability to express the wonders of the world through his writing and his unyielding pursuit of adventure continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

As we delve into Stevenson's life and immerse ourselves in his timeless works, we can't help but be inspired to chase our own dreams of exploration and storytelling. Robert Louis Stevenson truly embodies the essence of an explorer, both within the realm of literature and the vast world beyond.

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Robert Louis Stevenson: A Biography (Explorers Book 4)

by Frank McLynn(Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1352 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	783 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

'In short, McLynn's is a much more conventional literary biography, and those devoted to that genre will find it exemplary.' Booklist Review

Robert Louis Stevenson is most famously remembered as the author of ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.’ But the life of the writer was as extraordinary as some of his creations.

Having grown up in Scotland, Stevenson was shaped by the experiences of his childhood: Calvinism, strained family relations and persistent ill health. These themes would carry on throughout his short life, and be reflected in his novels.

In efforts to escape his deteriorating health, combined with a genuine love of adventure, Stevenson took up residence all over the globe, most notably in Samoa where he spent his final years. Much of Stevenson’s literary ideas were sparked from his travels, seeing him embark on adventurous missions in order to produce work.

The acclaimed biographer Frank McLynn offers a thoroughly detailed insight into the life and times of Stevenson, drawing attention to his genius and the era he wrote in. The curtain is drawn back, so we are able to glimpse the private life of Stevenson, as husband and father. The book also addresses the writer's public life and the impact of his novel's on a Victorian mindset, which his works helped to challenge and shape.

This comprehensive biography of Robert Louis Stevenson will appeal to fans of both history and literature alike.

Frank McLynn is a British author, biographer, historian and journalist. He is noted for critically acclaimed biographies of Napoleon Bonaparte, Robert Louis Stevenson, Carl Jung, Richard Francis Burton and Henry Morton Stanley. He is also the author of Fitzroy Maclean and Bipolar, a novel about Roald Amundsen, published by Sharpe Books.

Praise for Frank McLynn:

'Excellent ... entertaining.' The Spectator

‘The definitive biography.’ TLS

‘Does much to explain the contradictory accounts left to us of the man.’ London Review of Books

‘Frank McLynn’s achievement ... is to give Charles Edward a solidarity and three-dimensional reality that he usually lacks ... His account of the risings themselves is exemplary and he offers the best case yet for the nearness to success of the ’45. What is usually seen as the last shiver of an anachronistic and romantic throwback emerges as a genuine alternative to Whiggery and the Act of Settlement.’ Brian Morton, TES

‘A broad canvas, dealing not only with sober historical truth but with the magic spell that either seduced or repelled Fielding, Sterne, Smollett, Burns, Scott, Borrow, Buchan, Stevenson and a hundred Irish poets...’ Diarmaid O’Muirithe, Irish Independent

‘McLynn is to be congratulated on a great success, a work ... of mature reflection, acute judgement and great humanity.’ Jeremy Black, History

‘A readable and fresh study ... thoroughly researched.’ Esmond Wright, Contemporary Review

‘Packed with fascinating detail.’ Denis Hills, choosing his book of the year in the Spectator

‘Fitzroy Maclean has found his Boswell in Frank McLynn.’ Trevor Royle, Scotland on Sunday

‘Most entertaining.’ Richard West

‘Important, timely and balanced.’ Soldier