Authorial Context
In 1850, Robert Louis Stevenson was in Edinburgh, Scotland. Born to respected middle-class parents, Stevenson's family also included scientists, engineers, a religious minister and a professor of philosophy. Stevenson reflected the religious and scientific sides of his family in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. His books received great critical acclaim and immense popularity.
The author of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was a sickly only child with serious lung problems, resulting in him spending a huge deal of time at home. Robert’s housebound state helped him cultivate an interest in reading about travel and adventure. He spent many years as a writer travelling around the world to find a climate which was healthier than Britain's, both due to his health and for his passion of adventure.
In the world that Stevenson was raised, there were two Edinburghs. On one hand was a respectable, polite and religious New Town. On the other was a shady Edinburgh, with brothels and blackmarket trade. These starkly different locations that both molded Stevensons view of life and his personality. These parts of the towns interested Stevenson in the duality and contrasts of human nature, later providing a theme for Jekyll and Hyde.
Robert Louis Stevenson lived in the remote Samoan Islands until his death at 44, due to a brain hemorrhage.
The author of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was a sickly only child with serious lung problems, resulting in him spending a huge deal of time at home. Robert’s housebound state helped him cultivate an interest in reading about travel and adventure. He spent many years as a writer travelling around the world to find a climate which was healthier than Britain's, both due to his health and for his passion of adventure.
In the world that Stevenson was raised, there were two Edinburghs. On one hand was a respectable, polite and religious New Town. On the other was a shady Edinburgh, with brothels and blackmarket trade. These starkly different locations that both molded Stevensons view of life and his personality. These parts of the towns interested Stevenson in the duality and contrasts of human nature, later providing a theme for Jekyll and Hyde.
Robert Louis Stevenson lived in the remote Samoan Islands until his death at 44, due to a brain hemorrhage.
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Chapter Summaries of Jekyll and Hyde
Full story: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Chapter Summaries of Jekyll and Hyde
Full story: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde