Robert Louis Stevenson

"Robert Louis Stevenson" by Margaret Moyes Black is a biographical account written in the late 19th century. This work explores the life of the renowned writer Robert Louis Stevenson, best known for classics such as "Treasure Island" and "Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde." The book delves into Stevenson's ancestry, childhood, and early influences, presenting an intimate portrait shaped by his family and upbringing. The opening of the biography begins with a preface that emphasizes Stevenson's Scottish heritage and the impact of heredity on his life. It explores the lineage of the Stevenson family, particularly highlighting the contributions of Robert's ancestors to lighthouse engineering, which played a vital role in maritime safety. Stevenson’s early years are portrayed as both delicate and imaginative, as he navigated chronic health issues while developing a rich inner world. The narrative sets the stage for understanding how his familial relationships and early experiences cultivated his literary genius, preparing readers for a deeper exploration of his life and works throughout the book. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Margaret Moyes Black was a Scottish novelist and biographer. She was born on 27 April 1853 in the parish of Scoonie, Fife. Her father was William Black, a shipmaster, and her mother was Margaret Moyes Deas. She wrote her first novel, In Glenoran, under the pseudonym of M.B. Fife. Of the volume on Robert Louis Stevenson, in the Famous Scots Series, Black stated in her preface that it is, "only a reminiscence and an appreciation by one who, in the old days between 1869 and 1880, knew him and his home circle well." She was unmarried and died on 16 October 1935 at Montrose, Angus.