Robert Louis Stevenson's Day of Birth

Robert Louis Stevenson was born on November 13Th, 1850 and left the earthly world on December 3Rd, 1894. It seems his parents had health issues as did he. This has been speculated to things from tuberculosis to bronchitis to sacrodosis (1). His nurse would read to him when he was too ill to get up. "A Child's Garden of Verses" was dedicated to his nurse for her compassion during his illness. I had the honor of being given this book by my aunt Lois on my ninth birthday. To this day it sits in my china cabinet not a mark on it. The dedication is beautiful and thoughtful and goes like this:

"To Alison Cunningham From Her Boy...
For the long nights you lay awake and watched for my unworthy sake:
For your most comfortable hand that led me through the uneven land:
...
My second mother, my first wife, the angel of my infant life -
From the sick child, now well and old, take, Nurse, The little book you hold!"

Robert Louis Stevenson's Works

Robert Louis Stevenson's works are far too expansive to list here. There are those classics that will always stick to us and be the first thing we think of when we hear his name, The above mentioned A Child's Garden of Verses, Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Misadventures of John Nicholson: A Christmas Story are all well remembered even by those who were never much of a reader. Of course, like I said, as a whole his works are far too many to list here, but you get the gist when you hear those Titles don't you?

Robert Louis Stevenson's Schooling

Due to his many illnesses he missed many days of school and was even held back. Most of his schooling ended up being provided by a private tutor. Even at that young age he was already writing with a wonderful imagination. He did not have support of his family though. Because of his father's wishes he did attend college. This is what began his new found friendships and eventually travel and experience that would help fuel the already bright mind.

Moving to Samoa

Although Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, his family moved to Samoa to help with the illness of the lungs. The climate was much better for him. Ironically is was not the lungs that gave him his final illness but a cerebral hemorrhage.

I know no one can live physically forever, but how wonderful he left such tremendous marks on the world with his mind. I leave you with a Robert Louis Stevenson quote I think befitting:

It is not likely that posterity will fall in love with us, but not impossible that it may respect or sympathize; so a man would rather leave behind him the portrait of his spirit than a portrait of his face.

wikipedia.com
A Child's Garden Of Verses