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Robert Louis Stevenson

(1850-1894), Novelist and essayist

Sitter 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.

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Robert Louis Stevenson, by Sir William Blake Richmond - NPG 1028

Robert Louis Stevenson

by Sir William Blake Richmond
oil on canvas, 1887
On display in Room 24 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 1028

Robert Louis Stevenson, by Unknown photographer - NPG P1700(4b)

Robert Louis Stevenson

by Unknown photographer
albumen print, circa 1893
NPG P1700(4b)

Robert Louis Stevenson, by Albert George Dew-Smith - NPG x1345

Robert Louis Stevenson

by Albert George Dew-Smith
platinum print, late 1880s
NPG x1345

Robert Louis Stevenson, published by Ogden's, after  James Notman - NPG x196201

Robert Louis Stevenson

published by Ogden's, after James Notman
bromide cigarette card, published circa 1894 (1890-1894)
NPG x196201

Robert Louis Stevenson, by Unknown photographer - NPG x4629

Robert Louis Stevenson

by Unknown photographer
albumen print, circa 1891
NPG x4629

Robert Louis Stevenson, after David Watson Stevenson - NPG x199162

Robert Louis Stevenson

after David Watson Stevenson
albumen panel card, circa 1894-1895
NPG x199162

'Trail Leading to Mountain Tomb of Robert Louis Stevenson, Mount Vaea, Samoa', published by Keystone View Company - NPG x199108

'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

Robert Louis Stevenson, after Augustus Saint-Gaudens - NPG D42134

Robert Louis Stevenson

after Augustus Saint-Gaudens
photograph, 1929 or before (1887)
NPG D42134

Robert Louis Stevenson, by Sprague & Co, after  William Strang - NPG D9957

Robert Louis Stevenson

by Sprague & Co, after William Strang
ink-photo, published 26 January 1887
NPG D9957

Robert Louis Stevenson, after Joseph Simpson - NPG D9956

Robert Louis Stevenson

after Joseph Simpson
lithograph after a woodcut, 1902
NPG D9956

Robert Louis Stevenson, by H. Blackburn Hart, published by  Museum Galleries, after  Sir William Blake Richmond - NPG D49367

Robert Louis Stevenson

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

Robert Louis Stevenson, issued by Sarony & Co, after  Sir William Blake Richmond - NPG D48921

Robert Louis Stevenson

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 - NPG D45912

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

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