Robert Louis Stevenson (13 November 1850 – 3 December 1894) was a Scottish novelist and travel writer, most noted for Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and A Child's Garden of Verses.
Born and educated in Edinburgh, Stevenson suffered from serious bronchial trouble for much of his life, but continued to write prolifically and travel widely in defiance of his poor health. As a young man, he mixed in London literary circles, receiving encouragement from Andrew Lang, Edmund Gosse, Leslie Stephen and W. E. Henley, the last of whom may have provided the model for Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Stevenson spent several years in search of a location suited to his health, before finally settling in Samoa, where he died.
A celebrity in his lifetime, Stevenson's critical reputation has fluctuated since his death, though today his works are held in general acclaim. He is currently ranked as the 26th most translated author in the world.
I efteråret 1745 går Charles Stuart i land på Skotlands kyster med det formål at styrte Englands konge George II. På slottet Durrisdeer sidder den gamle lord Durie og hans to sønner - den hidsige og stædige James (titlens stamherre) og den mere afdæmpede og praktisk indstillede yngre broder Henry - som er noget i tvivl om, hvem der vinder, og hvem det derfor vil være mest fordelagtigt i længden at holde sig til. De ender med den tilsyneladende salomoniske løsning, at den ene søn skal tilslutte sig "Bonnie Prince Charlie" og hans invasionshær, mens den anden og faderen bliver hjemme på Durrisdeer og erklærer sig for George II.
Men i stedet for at sikre familien uanset krigens udfald skaber denne løsning et livslangt fjendskab mellem de to brødre, et eventyrligt og omskifteligt liv for stamherren, og i sidste ende slægtens undergang.
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