[7] 223:13 Charlemagne. (742 or 747-814.) A great king of the Franks and emperor of the Romans. [8] 225:25 poltroon. A coward, a dastard. [9] 229:12 Hercules. A mighty hero in Greek and Roman mythology. [10] 229:13 Solomon. Son of David. King of Israel, 993-953 B.C. [11] 231: 26 steadings. A farmstead—barns, stables, cattle-sheds, etc. BIOGRAPHY Robert Louis Stevenson was born November 13, 1850, in Edinburgh. He was an only child. On his mother's side he came from a line of Scotch philosophers and ministers; on his father's, from a line of active workers and scientists. His grandfather, Robert Stevenson, and his father, Thomas Stevenson, gained world-wide reputations in engineering. Robert inherited from his mother throat and lung troubles. His health was very poor from his birth and his life was preserved only by the careful watchfulness of his mother and his devoted nurse, Alison Cunningham. As a child he was very lovable and possessed a very active imagination. He went to school in Edinburgh between the years 1858-1867. He first attended a preparatory school, then the Edinburgh academy. He spent considerable time at his maternal grandfather's home. It was there that he first tasted the delights of romance. In his school work he was none too studious, but all his teachers were charmed by his pleasing manner and general intelligence. Though an idler in other things, he worked constantly on the art of writing. Throughout his study in Edinburgh University and his unsuccessful efforts in engineering and the practice of law, literature became more and more a passion with him. The period between 1875 and 1879 was one of improved health and considerable literary activity. During this time he published _A Lodging for the Night, Will o' the Mill, The New Arabian Nights_, and an _Inland Voyage_. While in southern Europe he met and fell in love with Mrs. Osbourne. So after she returned to her home in California, Stevenson received the news that she was seriously ill. He immediately sailed for San Francisco, travelling as a steerage passenger because of lack of funds and a desire for literary material. Out of this experience grew a number of stories and essays. Exposure on the voyage affected his health and caused a very dangerous illness. After his recovery he married Mrs. Osbourne and returned to England with his wife and stepson. For a few years his work was more or less spasmodic on account of his bitter struggle with poor health, in 1883 he achieved success by the publication of _Treasure Island_. _Markheim_ appeared in 1884. _Kidnapped_ and _Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde_ were published in 1886.