Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on November 13, 1850, and died December 3, 1894 in Upolu, one of the Samoan Islands. He suffered from weak lungs (perhaps tuberculosis) from early childhood. He spent winters bedridden while his nurse read to him. When his father took him for a voyage he found that his mind was teeming with wonderful romances about the coast and islands which they visited.
He is best known for Treasure Island, his first widely popular book; Kidnapped; The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the story which established his reputation among a large class of readers; and two volumes of verse, A Child’s Garden of Verses and Underwoods.
His books and poems were well-received during his lifetime but early in the 20th century, “modern” literature decided his work was fit only for children. No matter what the scholars reported, however, Stevenson remains very popular.
Linda was fortunate to have parents who loved poetry and encouraged her to read and appreciate poems. The book,A Child’s Garden of Verses, was an early childhood favorite and still brings her joy.
Benney became a fan of Stevenson through reading his books- those mentioned above as well as The Master of Ballantrae,and Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes.
We’ve appended six of his poems that we particularly like.