The History of Literature 774 Robert Louis Stevenson (with Leo Damrosch)
Feb 9, 2026
Leo Damrosch, Emeritus Harvard professor and literary biographer, discusses his new life of Robert Louis Stevenson. He explores Stevenson’s vivid storytelling energy, the sources and letters that reshape myths, the origins of Jekyll and Hyde, and Stevenson’s travels, health, and passionate marriage. Short takes on style, public appeal, and underappreciated works round out the conversation.
58:10
Omit To Strengthen Storytelling
- Simplify and omit unnecessary details to keep a story moving and engage readers directly.
- Stevenson advised writers to "guess to the optic nerve" and avoid excess adjectives.
Telling Himself Stories
- As a child Stevenson would tell himself stories alone, saying "I'm telling myself a story."
- Damrosch uses this tale to show storytelling was an innate vocation, not just a profession for Stevenson.
From Lighthouses To Literature
- Stevenson came from a family of lighthouse engineers but failed at math and therefore left the trade.
- His family nonetheless encouraged him and even contributed ideas to Treasure Island during its composition.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
How Leo Damrosch Discovered Stevenson
02:21 • 2min
Correcting Myths and Using Letters
04:18 • 3min
Stevenson's Charisma and Vitality
07:42 • 2min
Public Appeal: Adventure and Narrative Drive
09:30 • 2min
Stevenson's Style and the Art of Omission
12:00 • 2min
Children's Poems and Adult Perspective
14:17 • 3min
Stevenson as Innate Storyteller
16:51 • 3min
Ad break
19:45 • 1min
Celebrating Reality and Imagination
21:10 • 15min
Ad break
35:48 • 1min
Family Lighthouse Legacy and Career Path
37:02 • 3min
Early Health Struggles and Travel
39:33 • 2min
Meeting Fanny: A Passionate Partnership
41:57 • 3min
Pacific Voyages and Samoa Life
44:48 • 2min
Biography and Understanding the Work
46:18 • 55sec
Origins of Jekyll and Hyde
47:13 • 4min
Recommended Reads Beyond the Big Three
51:35 • 3min
Success, Pressure, and Later Years
54:28 • 2min
What Damrosch Hopes Readers Take Away
56:21 • 2min
Outro
58:36 • 59sec
#35
• Mentioned in 285 episodes
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts.
However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it.
The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events.
The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.
#37864
Catriona
Robert Louis Stevenson
„Catriona“, auch bekannt als „David Balfour“, ist die Fortsetzung von Robert Louis Stevensons Roman „Entführt“.
Der Roman setzt die Abenteuer von David Balfour fort, der weiterhin in politische Intrigen verwickelt ist und für seine Rechte kämpft.
Im Mittelpunkt steht seine Beziehung zu Catriona Drummond, einer jungen Frau, die in die jakobitischen Bestrebungen verwickelt ist.
Die Geschichte spielt erneut in Schottland und Frankreich und thematisiert Themen wie Loyalität, Liebe und politische Gerechtigkeit.
Stevenson fängt die Atmosphäre der Zeit gekonnt ein und zeichnet ein vielschichtiges Bild der schottischen Gesellschaft.
#3231
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson
The novella tells the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a well-respected scientist, and his mysterious and malevolent alter ego, Mr. Edward Hyde.
Jekyll’s experiments with a potion lead to the physical and moral transformation into Hyde, an embodiment of his darker impulses.
The story explores the theme of the duality of human nature, the struggle between good and evil, and the consequences of tampering with the natural order.
The narrative unfolds through the investigations of Mr. Gabriel John Utterson, a London lawyer and friend of Dr. Jekyll, who uncovers the sinister relationship between Jekyll and Hyde.
#709
• Mentioned in 47 episodes
Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson
The story follows Jim Hawkins, a young boy who lives at the Admiral Benbow Inn with his mother.
After the death of a mysterious sea captain, Billy Bones, Jim finds a map that leads to the treasure of Captain Flint.
Along with Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney, Jim sets sail on the Hispaniola to find the treasure, unaware that many of the crew members are former pirates of Captain Flint's ship, led by the cunning Long John Silver.
The novel unfolds as a tale of adventure, mutiny, and the struggle between good and evil, with Jim facing numerous challenges and learning valuable lessons about courage and loyalty.
#7393
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
Kidnapped
Robert Louis Stevenson
Written by Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1886, 'Kidnapped' is a coming-of-age tale set in Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion.
The story follows David Balfour, a young man from the Scottish Lowlands, who after his father's death, sets out to claim his inheritance from his uncle Ebenezer.
However, Ebenezer arranges for David to be kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Carolinas.
David's journey involves a shipwreck, his alliance with the Jacobite rebel Alan Breck Stewart, and their perilous trek across the Highlands to avoid capture by government soldiers and to clear their names after being accused of murder.
The novel is known for its high adventure, historical context, and themes of resilience and loyalty.
#22534
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
A child's garden of verses
Robert Louis Stevenson
Originally published in 1885, 'A Child's Garden of Verses' is a volume of 64 poems written from the perspective of a child.
The collection captures the joys, imagination, and sometimes loneliness of childhood, with poems about sailing boats, waiting for the lamplighter, and adventures in the garden.
Dedicated to Stevenson's childhood nurse Alison Cunningham, the poems explore themes of nature, play, dreams, and moral lessons.
The book has been reprinted many times, often with illustrations, and is considered one of the most influential children's poetry collections of the 19th century.
It also addresses adult themes such as loss and loneliness, making it a timeless work for readers of all ages.
#6
• Mentioned in 540 episodes
The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R. R.
Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth.
The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo.
The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return.
Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth.
The novel explores themes of good vs.
evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will.
#713
• Mentioned in 47 episodes
Huckleberry Finn
Joanne Suter
This adaptation of 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' by Joanne Suter retains the core elements of Mark Twain's original story while making it more approachable for students.
The book follows Huck Finn and the runaway slave Jim as they embark on a journey down the Mississippi River, confronting various challenges and social issues of pre-Civil War America.
The adaptation includes eight pages of end-of-book activities to enhance the reading experience and facilitate learning.
#101335
Travels with a donkey
Robert Louis Stevenson
'Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes' is a travelogue by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Stevenson recounts his solo journey through the rugged and sparsely populated Cévennes region of France.
Accompanied only by a donkey named Modestine, he seeks adventure and escape from his sedentary life.
The book explores themes of solitude, nature, and the challenges of travel.
Stevenson's vivid descriptions and introspective observations capture the beauty and simplicity of the journey, as well as the quirks and frustrations of traveling with a stubborn animal companion.
#5128
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
The Storyteller
Tales of Life and Music
Dave Grohl
The Storyteller is an autobiography by Dave Grohl that chronicles his life and music career.
The book includes stories from his childhood in suburban Virginia, his early days in the punk band Scream, his time as the drummer for Nirvana, and the formation and success of Foo Fighters.
Grohl shares candid anecdotes about his experiences, including meeting Kurt Cobain, the rise and fall of Nirvana, and his personal struggles and triumphs.
The memoir is praised for its warm, funny, and natural storytelling, highlighting Grohl's love for family, music, and his resilience in the face of adversity.
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) suffered from poor health for most of his life, and yet he possessed immense vitality. In this episode, Jacke talks to biographer Leo Damrosch (Storyteller: The Life of Robert Louis Stevenson) about his efforts to bring to life the man who gave the world Kidnapped, Treasure Island, and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Join Jacke on a trip through literary England! Join Jacke and fellow literature fans on an eight-day journey through literary England in partnership with John Shors Travel in May 2026! Scheduled stops include The Charles Dickens Museum, Dr. Johnson's house, Jane Austen's Bath, Tolkien's Oxford, Shakespeare's Globe Theater, and more. Learn more by emailing jackewilsonauthor@gmail.com or masahiko@johnshorstravel.com, or by contacting us through our website historyofliterature.com. Act now - sign-up closes March 1!
The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at gabrielruizbernal.com.
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