Robert Louis Stevenson
(1850-1894), Novelist and essayistSitter associated with 33 portraits
Robert Louis Stevenson is best known for his novels Treasure Island (1883), Kidnapped (1886) and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886). A literary celebrity during his lifetime, his works are still widely read. Rather than enter the family engineering business, Stevenson dedicated himself to becoming a published author. A frequent sufferer of ill health worsened by cold and damp weather, he spent much time travelling to sunnier climes, which inspired much of his writing. In 1888, he set sail for the Pacific, exploring its islands, before settling in Vailima, Samoa in 1890. Here he integrated with and contributed to the local community and culture. He died suddenly in 1894. Forty Samoan chiefs carried him to burial.
Thomas Stevenson; Robert Louis Stevenson; Margaret Isabella Stevenson (née Balfour)
by William Silvester Laroche
albumen carte-de-visite, September 1874
NPG P2026
Unknown man, formerly known as Robert Louis Stevenson
by Unknown artist
chalk, 1880
NPG 2687
by James Notman
platinum print, 1880s
NPG P224
by Augustus Saint-Gaudens
bronze relief, 1887
NPG 2349
by Percy Frederick Seaton Spence
pencil, 1893
NPG 1184
by Allen Hutchinson
bronze head, 1893
NPG 2454
by Unknown photographer
albumen print, circa 1893
NPG P1700(4b)
by Harry Furniss
pen and ink
NPG 3518
by John Moffat
albumen print, 1860-1879
NPG x32721
by Unknown photographer
photogravure, circa 1885
NPG x4626
after William John Hawker
photogravure, (1886)
NPG x196195
by Albert George Dew-Smith
platinum print, late 1880s
NPG x1345
by James Notman
albumen cabinet card, 1890-1894
NPG x39714
published by Ogden's, after James Notman
bromide cigarette card, published circa 1894 (1890-1894)
NPG x196201
by Unknown photographer
albumen print, circa 1891
NPG x4629
Robert Louis Stevenson and family
by J. Davis
albumen print, circa 1891
NPG x4630
by H. Walter Barnett
postcard print, 1893
NPG x135632
Tuimalealhfano; Robert Louis Stevenson
copy by John Moffat
platinum print, (29 January 1894)
NPG x4627
copy by John Moffat
platinum print, (29 January 1894)
NPG x4628
after David Watson Stevenson
albumen panel card, circa 1894-1895
NPG x199162
'R.L. Stevenson and the Cradle of his Song' (Robert Louis Stevenson)
published by William J. Hay
postcard print, circa 1900s
NPG x199275
'Trail Leading to Mountain Tomb of Robert Louis Stevenson, Mount Vaea, Samoa'
published by Keystone View Company
gelatin silver printing-out paper stereoscopic card, published circa 1930
NPG x199108
Unknown man, formerly thought to be Robert Louis Stevenson
by Unknown artist
photogravure printing block, late 19th century
NPG D42651
by Mortimer Luddington Menpes
etching, 1879
NPG D6868
after Augustus Saint-Gaudens
photograph, 1929 or before (1887)
NPG D42134
by Sprague & Co, after William Strang
ink-photo, published 26 January 1887
NPG D9957
by R.E.J. Bush
etching, 1892
NPG D6867
after Joseph Simpson
lithograph after a woodcut, 1902
NPG D9956
by H. Blackburn Hart, published by Museum Galleries, after Sir William Blake Richmond
mezzotint printed in colours, published 1922, based on a work of 1887
NPG D49367
issued by Sarony & Co, after Sir William Blake Richmond
gravure cigarette card, 1923 (1887)
NPG D48921
Getting outside a Guinness with R.L.S.
published by Illustrated London News, after Raymond Teague Cowern
colour relief halftone, published 20 August 1955
NPG D45912
Related People
- Fanny Stevenson (née Van de Grift) (wife)
- Margaret Isabella Stevenson (née Balfour) (mother)
- Thomas Stevenson (father)
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