Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel Treasure Island was published on this date in 1883. Here are 10 things you might not know:
It was inspired by an art project Stevenson and his stepson, Lloyd, engaged in on a wet summer day in Scotland. Stevenson drew an island, and then added features like harbours and bays. As he worked on the imaginary island, stories about it began forming in his head.
He started writing those stories down, a chapter each morning, which he would then share with his wife, Fanny, and Lloyd. Lloyd loved the story. Fanny, not so much. She once wrote, “I liked the beginning, but after that the life seems to go out of it, and it became tedious."
Stevenson originally gave the story the title The Sea Cook: A Story for Boys, in reference to the fact that Long John Silver serves as the cook aboard the Hispaniola. His publisher wasn’t so keen on that name and persuaded Stevenson to change it to Treasure Island: Or the Mutiny of the Hispaniola.
It first appeared as a serial in a magazine for boys called Young Folks, in 18 instalments. Stevenson published it under the name Captain George North, possibly because he was afraid it might not be well received. In fact, it was less popular as a serial as the magazine’s readership wasn’t interested in the preliminary events in the inn, and couldn’t wait for the swashbuckling at sea to start. The book was more popular, perhaps because it attracted readers who didn’t have the attention span of a gnat.
Long John Silver was based on a friend of Stevenson’s called William Henley, who was tall, energetic and charming. He also had one leg, the result of contracting tuberculosis as a child. “It was the sight of your maimed strength and masterfulness that begot Long John Silver,” Stevenson told his friend.
Treasure Island starts in Devon, at the Admiral Benbow inn, which may have been named for Admiral John Benbow, a 17th century naval officer and privateer. The Spyglass Inn was based on a real pub called the Hole in the Wall, which is located in Bristol.
While Stevenson’s father had been a little disappointed that his son hadn’t followed in his footsteps and become a Lighthouse keeper, he nevertheless supported Robert as he wrote the story and, as a fan of pirate stories, made a few suggestions. It was he who suggested that Ben Gunn be a religious fanatic rather than a tormented soul, that Captain Flint’s vessel be named The Walrus, and also came up with one of the book’s pivotal scenes, in which Jim hides in an apple barrel and overhears Silver’s plan to mutiny.
Treasure Island has had significant influence on the depiction of pirates in popular culture, including elements such as deserted tropical islands, treasure maps marked with an "X", and one-legged seamen with Parrots perched on their shoulders.
Liberal politician William Ewart Gladstone, British Prime Minister between 1868 and 1894, was one of the book's biggest fans; it was said he stayed up all night to read it.
There have been numerous adaptations in film and TV, far too many to mention, but I will list a few: a 1920 silent film which starred a woman, Shirley Mason, as Jim Hawkins; a 1950 Disney adaptation notable for being the first version in colour and the Walt Disney Studios' first completely live-action film; Muppet Treasure Island (1996) which starred the muppets alongside Tim Curry as Long John Silver, Billy Connolly as Billy Bones and Jennifer Saunders as Mrs. Bluberidge; Treasure Planet (2002), another Disney adaptation, moving the action into space with Long John Silver as a cyborg.
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