On December 3, 1894, at the age of 44, Stevenson died of a stroke. The natives carried his body to the peak of Mount Vaea, where they buried him. His poem "Requiem" is inscribed on his gravestone as an epitaph: "Under the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live, and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me:
"Here he lies where he longed to be.
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill."
This prayer, actually called "For Success," is the first of a collection of prayers by Stevenson published in 1904, ten years after his death, in a book entitled Prayers Written at Vailima.
The Scottish writer lived in the Samoan village of Vailima from 1890-1894 (when he died suddenly at age 44), so he probably wrote this prayer during that prolific time.
You can read the digitized manuscript at Google Books. This prayer appears online in shortened form, retitled as "The Wedding Prayer" or "We Thank Thee."
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the "Wedding Prayer" in 1885. It was published in 1892 as part of his collection of poems called "Underwoods."
He married Fanny van de Grift Osbourne in May 1880
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R. L. S. (Robert Louis Stevenson) R. L. B. S. (Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson)
His initials: R.L.S (Robert Louis Stevenson)
Robert Louis Stevenson was named after his father, Robert Stevenson, who was a prominent lighthouse engineer in Scotland.
Robert Louis Stevenson had brown hair.
Robert Louis Stevenson was born on November 13, 1850.
Robert Louis Stevenson was born on November 13, 1850.
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote Treasure Island.
Robert Louis Stevenson's parents were Thomas Stevenson and Margaret Isabella Balfour.
The author of "Treasure Island" is Robert Louis Stevenson.
Robert Louis Stevenson Branch Library was created in 1927.
Robert Louis Stevenson had three siblings. His brothers were named Thomas Stevenson and Alan Stevenson, and his sister was named Margaret Isabella Balfour Stevenson.
Robert Louis Stevenson died on December 3, 1894 at the age of 44.