Robert Louis Stevenson

Stevenson’s Background Born November 3, 1850, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Born November 3, 1850, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was an only son. He was an only son. Died December 3, Died December 3, He was 44 when he died. He was 44 when he died.

Conflict #1- Family Expectations For generations, Stevenson family had been lighthouse engineers. For generations, Stevenson family had been lighthouse engineers. Family wanted Robert to become an engineer, too. Family wanted Robert to become an engineer, too. Robert wanted to write. Robert wanted to write. He studied law as a compromise. He studied law as a compromise.

Conflict #2- Parental Beliefs Stevenson rejected his parents’ religion and bourgeois hypocrisy. Stevenson rejected his parents’ religion and bourgeois hypocrisy. Bourgeois: a person of the middle class, such as a merchant, businessman, or salaried worker with a higher status than a farmer or a laborer and a lower status than an aristocrat or a person of great wealth; common, ordinary. Bourgeois: a person of the middle class, such as a merchant, businessman, or salaried worker with a higher status than a farmer or a laborer and a lower status than an aristocrat or a person of great wealth; common, ordinary.

Conflict #2- Parental Beliefs Stevenson pursued a bohemian lifestyle. Stevenson pursued a bohemian lifestyle. Bohemian: a free and easy, unconventional sort of life adopted by artists, writers, and others. Bohemian: a free and easy, unconventional sort of life adopted by artists, writers, and others.

Conflict #3- Finding Love Stevenson was plagued by illness his entire life. Stevenson was plagued by illness his entire life. At 23, Stevenson developed respiratory illness. At 23, Stevenson developed respiratory illness. Recovered on French Rivera. Recovered on French Rivera.

Conflict #3- Finding Love While in France, fell in love with Fanny Osbourne, an American. While in France, fell in love with Fanny Osbourne, an American. Fanny was married, but separated. Fanny was married, but separated. Robert courted her for 2 years, despite his parents’ disapproval. Robert courted her for 2 years, despite his parents’ disapproval.

Conflict #3- Finding Love Fanny moved back to California. Fanny moved back to California. Robert followed her and they married. Robert followed her and they married. Robert’s family finally accepted the marriage and offered much-need financial help. Robert’s family finally accepted the marriage and offered much-need financial help. Robert and Fanny moved back to Scotland. Robert and Fanny moved back to Scotland.

Travels Influence Literature Stevenson traveled to many places, which he wrote about in his literature. Stevenson traveled to many places, which he wrote about in his literature. Places include France, England, Samoa, and the United States. Places include France, England, Samoa, and the United States.

Travels Influence Literature Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde set in London, England. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde set in London, England. Treasure Island set in Samoa. Treasure Island set in Samoa. Kidnapped set in the United States. Kidnapped set in the United States.

Conclusion Robert Louis Stevenson died on December 3, 1894, at the age of 44. Robert Louis Stevenson died on December 3, 1894, at the age of 44. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, which killed him instantly. He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, which killed him instantly. He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of burgundy, uncorked it in the kitchen, and abruptly cried to his wife, “What’s the matter with me, what is this strangeness, has my face changed?” He went to the wine cellar to get a bottle of burgundy, uncorked it in the kitchen, and abruptly cried to his wife, “What’s the matter with me, what is this strangeness, has my face changed?”