Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) wrote the world’s most enduring story of adventure at sea, Treasure Island. Despite ill health, Stevenson led an exciting life, mirrored in a prodigious body of work, including New Arabian Nights, In the South Seas, Kidnapped, and his study of good versus evil, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In 1880 he married American artist Fanny Osbourne. They called the island of Samoa home until Stevenson died of a stroke, Fanny by his side.

My First Book: “Treasure Island”

An Essay

by Robert Louis Stevenson

It was far indeed from being my first book, for I am not a novelist alone. But I am well aware that my paymaster, the Great Public, regards what else I have written with indifference, if not aversion; if it call upon me at all, it calls on me in the familiar and indelible character; and when I am asked to talk of my first book, no question in the world but what is meant is my first novel.

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