Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 34 on 30/08/2007.

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National treasure

Sally Toms looks at the life of celebrated Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson (1850-1894) was born in Edinburgh in November 1850. The Stevensons were distinguished lighthouse designers, but from an early age Robert showed an interest in literature.

An only child, Robert was intelligent but often ill; he had ‘weak lungs’ which might well have been tuberculosis. This meant he had to spend many of his formative years in bed, but it also fuelled his imagination for stories.

At the age of 11 his health had improved and his parents prepared him to follow his father as a lighthouse engineer. He attended the Edinburgh Academy and entered the University of Edinburgh at 17, but soon discovered he had neither the scientific mind nor physical endurance to succeed as an engineer. Instead Robert was something of a bohemian. He rebelled against the conventions of Edinburgh middle-class society and even changed the spelling of his name from ‘Lewis’ to the French form, ‘Louis.’ He was often to be found meandering through the streets of the Old Town in his long hair and trademark velvet coat, in search of adventure.

His father was less indulgent of Robert’s desire to embark up on a career in literature, and encouraged him to study law instead.

By the age of 25 Robert had passed the examinations for admission to the bar, though not until he had nearly ruined his health through work and worry. He left Scotland in search of a climate kinder to his health. This, coupled with his wandering nature, kept him away from his native Scotland for .....

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By Sally Toms

Section : Scottish Legends

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