Records of a Family of Engineers

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Overview

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894), novelist and poet, was descended from a famous Scottish engineering family. His grandfather Robert, his father Thomas, two uncles and a cousin were all noted engineers, particularly known for their lighthouses. This family history, focusing particularly on his grandfather, was written while R. L. Stevenson was living in Samoa, and was published posthumously in 1912. It first outlines the history of the name 'Stevenson' from the thirteenth century. Chapter 1 begins in the mid-eighteenth century, and records Robert Stevenson's birth in 1772, and his father's death. The young Robert worked with his stepfather for the Northern Lighthouse Board and was its sole Engineer from 1808 to 1843. Chapter 2 describes his experiences in that role. Chapter 3 reproduces substantial extracts from Robert's own diary of the construction (1807–1811) of his most famous structure, the Bell Rock lighthouse off Arbroath, which revolutionised lighthouse design.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781016909105
Publisher:	Legare Street Press
Publication date:	10/27/2022
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Robert Louis Stevenson (eigentlich Robert Levis Balfour Stevenson) wurde am 13.11.1850 in Edinburgh geboren. Der Vater war Leuchtturmbaumeister, das wollte auch der Sohn werden. Er hatte jedoch ein Lungenleiden und studierte daher Jura von 1871-1875. Er arbeitete jedoch nicht als Rechtsanwalt sondern wurde freier Schriftsteller, vergeblich ein Klima suchend, das sein Lungenleiden heilte. Seit 1888 lebte er auf Samoa, wo er bei den Eingeborenen in hohem Ansehen stand. Er starb am 03.12.1894 im Haus Vailima bei Apia (Westsamoa).

Date of Birth:

November 13, 1850

Date of Death:

December 3, 1894

Place of Birth:

Edinburgh, Scotland

Place of Death:

Vailima, Samoa

Education:

Edinburgh University, 1875

Table of Contents

Introduction. The surname of Stephenson; 1. Domestic annals; 2. The service of the Northern Lights; 3. The building of the Bell Rock.