Robert Louis Stevenson: A Record, an Estimate, and a Memorial

This volume gathers a series of previously unpublished letters, personal reminiscences, and scholarly commentary that together sketch the inner life of the famed storyteller. Compiled by a noted literary historian, the book opens with a vivid portrait of Stevenson’s early enthusiasm for Thoreau, revealing how the American naturalist’s independence sparked a lasting admiration. The introductory letters, reproduced in facsimile, show the writer grappling with illness while juggling his literary duties, giving listeners a rare glimpse of his earnest, human concerns.

Beyond the correspondence, the author weaves thoughtful essays that explore Stevenson’s love of travel, his reflections on heredity, and his modest, often self‑deprecating humor. By contrasting the man’s private musings with the larger-than-life adventures of his novels, the work illuminates the quieter motivations behind his famous tales. Listeners will come away with a richer sense of the man whose imagination sailed from Scottish shores to distant islands, all while remaining grounded in his own ordinary experiences.