       
 Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson is a very special person to me, being
that he is my 5 th Great Uncle. So it is with great pleasure
and an honor that I dedicate this page to him.
Born Edinburgh 1850, died in Samoa, December 3, 1894. Stevenson
was born into a strict Presbyterian family, his father, an engineer,
wanted Robert Louis to follow him into the family profession.
He was however eventually was permitted to study law.
From his twenties, Stevenson suffered from tuberculosis, which
led him to spend long periods abroad, and finally took his death.
Stevenson's was preoccupied with predestination, and the forces
of evil, and explores these issues in The Master of Ballantrae
(1889), and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1886). He is also well known
for his historical novels Treasure Island (1883), Kidnapped (1886),and
Catriona (1893).
In September 1989, it was beyond my wildest dreams that my husband
was sent to Europe on business through his company Hewlett-Packard.
As part of our adventure we visited some of his colleagues at
Hewlett-Packard in Edinburgh Scotland. Being from the States
and a guest, they took us to lunch at this quaint little inn.
One of the guys started telling us about room #13 upstairs where
Robert Louis Stevenson was inspired to write "Kidnapped".
To my excitement, within minutes, the whole place knew their
was a relative of Robert Louis Steveson amongst them, the royal
carpet was laid out, and the tour was afoot...ending with Room
#13.
 Hawes Inn
Glazing out to sea in 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson watched the
boats from room 13 at the Hawes Inn in South Queensferry, Edinburgh.
As he formulated the plot for his adventure novel "Kidnapped",
throughout the book he expressed his own thoughts and dreams
of far away places and sea voyages. His affection for the small
town of South Queensferry is reflected in his character's words
on his return from the Highlands: "It was a fairly built
burgh, the houses of good stone, many slated...it put me to shame
for foul tatters". The Hawes Inn is situated by the Firth
of Forth Bridge pictured below.
 View from Room13
As a frequent visitor to the Hawes Inn, Robert Louis Stevenson
enjoyed afternoon walk's and occasional canoeing, it is not surprising
the he was attracted by its history and atmosphere. "Hawes"
is derived from the tiny fishing village of Newhalls which was
situated nearby. The building itself dates back to the 16th century
and was for centuries an ideal stopping place for travelers coming
from Edinburgh.
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R.L.Stevenson also has a hotel named after him in Apia, Western Samoa. He
was affectionately named "Tusitala" which means, story
teller. When he passed away in Samoa, the chiefs and other village
men carried his body in a stone made casket up a steep hill to
bury him.
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As far as my family tree goes that attaches me to RLS is the
following:
My mother's Grandfather was William R. Stevenson, who was
a cousin of Robert Louis Stevenson. (the "R" stood
for Roy, Robert, Rudd in honor of his brothers)
William R. Stevenson was Born October 25, 1850 in New York
State.
He died April 21, 1903 Snohomish WA.
My mother's Grandmother was Margaret Jack Stevenson
Born November 26, 1928 in Hamilton Montana
Margaret Jack Stevenson's mother was Mary Campbell Jack
She had three children: George R.S., Clara Stevenson Jacklin
and Jennie L. Stevenson Turcott.
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Recommended Video and Book Reading
Prayers
Written at Vailima Stevenson's last work, written in Samoa...Daily
prayers written for his family and the Samoan people who shared
the Stevenson home...The book includes an introduction by Mrs.
R.L. Stevenson on the importance of the prayers, and of their
life on the island.
"Prayers
Written at Vailima" by Robert Louis Stevenson Limited Edition
of 200...letterpress printed on
Hiromi-Sansui rice paper with Thai Mango red endpapers...typeface
is Bembo. Signatures are French folded and bound in a red silk
cover, blind stamped with double orchids by Allwyn O'Mara. Dust
cover included. Edition signed and numbered. Catherine Kanner
has designed the book with a Polynesian feel.
Treasure
Island (Classics Illustrated) by Robert Louis Stevenson(Adapted
by Boyette, Pat), Pat Boyette (Illustrator)
Kidnapped
by Robert Louis Stevenson, N.C. Wyeth
Robert
Louis Stevenson : Life, Literature and the Silver Screen by Scott
Allen Nollen
A
Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson (Illustrator),
Tasha Tudor
My
Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson, Ted Rand (Illustrator)
Kidnapped-Animated
Special VHS...Color...Not Rated
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