Lloyd Osbourne
Encyclopedia
Samuel Lloyd Osbourne was an American author and the stepson of Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson
with whom he would co-author three books and provide input and ideas on others.
to Fanny Osbourne (née Vandegrift)
and Samuel Osbourne, a lieutenant on the State Governor's staff. They married when Fanny was just seventeen years of age, and Lloyd's older sister Isobel Osbourne
(or 'Belle') was born the following year. Samuel fought in the American Civil War
, went with a friend sick with tuberculosis
to California, and via San Francisco, he ended up in the silver mines of Nevada. Once settled there he sent for his family. Fanny and the five-year-old Isobel made the long journey via New York
, the isthmus of Panama
, San Francisco, and finally by wagons and stage-coach to the mining camps of the Reese River, and the town of Austin in Lander County. Life was difficult in the mining town, and there were few women around. Fanny learned to shoot a pistol and to roll her own cigarettes.
The family moved to Virginia City
, Nevada
. Samuel began going with saloon girls, and in 1866 he headed off gold prospecting in the Coeur d'Alene Mountains
, and Fanny and her daughter journeyed to San Francisco. There was a rumour that Sam had been killed by a grizzly bear, but he returned to the family safe in 1868. Shortly thereafter Lloyd was born. But Samuel continued philandering and Fanny returned to Indianapolis
.
The couple were reconciled again in 1869, and lived in Oakland where a second son, Hervey, was born. Fanny took up painting and gardening. However, her husband's behaviour did not improve, and Fanny finally left him in 1875 and moved with her three children to Europe. They lived in Antwerp for three months, and then in order to allow Fanny to study art, moved to Paris
where Fanny and Isobel both enrolled in the Académie Julian
. Hervey sick with scrofulous tuberculosis, died on 5 April 1876, and was buried in a temporary grave at Père Lachaise. While in Paris, Lloyd's mother met and befriended the author, Robert Louis Stevenson
. He became deeply attached to her and in 1880 they were married when Lloyd was just 12 years old. As a boy, Lloyd and his stepfather painted a map of an imaginary island, and this quickly formed the inspiration for Stevenson's classic Treasure Island
. Although he would study engineering at the University of Edinburgh
Osbourne desired to become a writer, an idea that was encouraged by his stepfather.
, visiting important island groups. They stopped for an extended stay in the Hawaiian Islands
where Stevenson became good friends with King Kalākaua
.
in 1890 Lloyd Osbourne, his mother and Stevenson sailed from Sydney
, Australia, into the central Pacific on the steam ship the Janet Nicoll, Lloyd Osbourne and Robert Louis Stevenson
used a plate camera
to photograph pacific islanders and passengers and crew of the Janet Nicoll. A passenger on the Janet Nicoll was Jack Buckland
, whom Lloyd Osbourne and Robert Louis Stevenson
used as a character in The Wrecker
(1892).
In 1890 the family eventually settled in Samoa
where Stevenson would die four years later on December 3. In 1897 Osbourne was appointed vice consul
to represent the United States
in Samoa.
On April 9, 1896 Osbourne married Katherine Durham in Honolulu and was divorced in 1914. Their children were Alan (b. 1897) and Louis (b. 1900). In 1916 they remarried on condition that there should be no more children, and later divorced again.
on May 22, 1947, the same day that he died in California.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
with whom he would co-author three books and provide input and ideas on others.
Early life
Lloyd Osbourne was born in San FranciscoSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
to Fanny Osbourne (née Vandegrift)
Fanny Vandegrift
Frances Matilda Van de Grift Osbourne Stevenson was the wife of Robert Louis Stevenson and mother of Isobel and Lloyd Osbourne.-Early life:...
and Samuel Osbourne, a lieutenant on the State Governor's staff. They married when Fanny was just seventeen years of age, and Lloyd's older sister Isobel Osbourne
Isobel Osbourne
Isobel "Belle" Osbourne Strong Field was Robert Louis Stevenson's step-daughter and sister of Lloyd Osbourne. She was born in Indianapolis to Samuel and Fanny Van de Grift Osbourne....
(or 'Belle') was born the following year. Samuel fought in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, went with a friend sick with tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
to California, and via San Francisco, he ended up in the silver mines of Nevada. Once settled there he sent for his family. Fanny and the five-year-old Isobel made the long journey via New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, the isthmus of Panama
Isthmus of Panama
The Isthmus of Panama, also historically known as the Isthmus of Darien, is the narrow strip of land that lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, linking North and South America. It contains the country of Panama and the Panama Canal...
, San Francisco, and finally by wagons and stage-coach to the mining camps of the Reese River, and the town of Austin in Lander County. Life was difficult in the mining town, and there were few women around. Fanny learned to shoot a pistol and to roll her own cigarettes.
The family moved to Virginia City
Virginia City
Virginia City is a city located in Storey County, Nevada.Virginia City may also refer to:* Virginia City, Montana* Virginia City, Nevada* Virginia City, Virginia* Virginia City , a 1940 film starring Errol Flynn...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. Samuel began going with saloon girls, and in 1866 he headed off gold prospecting in the Coeur d'Alene Mountains
Coeur d'Alene Mountains
The Coeur d'Alene Mountains are the northwestern-most portion of the Bitterroot Range, part of the Rocky Mountains, located in the northern Idaho and westernmost Montana in the Western United States....
, and Fanny and her daughter journeyed to San Francisco. There was a rumour that Sam had been killed by a grizzly bear, but he returned to the family safe in 1868. Shortly thereafter Lloyd was born. But Samuel continued philandering and Fanny returned to Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
.
The couple were reconciled again in 1869, and lived in Oakland where a second son, Hervey, was born. Fanny took up painting and gardening. However, her husband's behaviour did not improve, and Fanny finally left him in 1875 and moved with her three children to Europe. They lived in Antwerp for three months, and then in order to allow Fanny to study art, moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
where Fanny and Isobel both enrolled in the Académie Julian
Académie Julian
The Académie Julian was an art school in Paris, France.Rodolphe Julian established the Académie Julian in 1868 at the Passage des Panoramas, as a private studio school for art students. The Académie Julian not only prepared students to the exams at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts, but offered...
. Hervey sick with scrofulous tuberculosis, died on 5 April 1876, and was buried in a temporary grave at Père Lachaise. While in Paris, Lloyd's mother met and befriended the author, Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
. He became deeply attached to her and in 1880 they were married when Lloyd was just 12 years old. As a boy, Lloyd and his stepfather painted a map of an imaginary island, and this quickly formed the inspiration for Stevenson's classic Treasure Island
Treasure Island
Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
. Although he would study engineering at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
Osbourne desired to become a writer, an idea that was encouraged by his stepfather.
South Seas with Stevenson
In June 1888, Stevenson chartered a yacht and set sail with his new family from San Francisco across the Pacific OceanPacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, visiting important island groups. They stopped for an extended stay in the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
where Stevenson became good friends with King Kalākaua
Kalakaua
Kalākaua, born David Laamea Kamanakapuu Mahinulani Nalaiaehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua and sometimes called The Merrie Monarch , was the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii...
.
in 1890 Lloyd Osbourne, his mother and Stevenson sailed from Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia, into the central Pacific on the steam ship the Janet Nicoll, Lloyd Osbourne and Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
used a plate camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
to photograph pacific islanders and passengers and crew of the Janet Nicoll. A passenger on the Janet Nicoll was Jack Buckland
Jack Buckland
John Wilberforce Buckland , also known as ‘Tin Jack’, was a remittance man who lived in the South Pacific in the late 19th century. He travelled with Robert Louis Stevenson and his stories of life as an island trader became the inspiration for the character of Tommy Hadden in The Wrecker...
, whom Lloyd Osbourne and Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
used as a character in The Wrecker
The Wrecker (novel)
The Wrecker is a novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson in collaboration with his stepson Lloyd Osbourne. The story is a 'sprawling, episodic adventure story, a comedy of brash manners and something of a detective mystery'. It revolves around the abandoned wreck of the Flying Scud at Midway Island...
(1892).
In 1890 the family eventually settled in Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
where Stevenson would die four years later on December 3. In 1897 Osbourne was appointed vice consul
Vice Consul
A vice consul is a subordinate officer, authorized to exercise consular functions in some particular part of a district controlled by a consulate....
to represent the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in Samoa.
On April 9, 1896 Osbourne married Katherine Durham in Honolulu and was divorced in 1914. Their children were Alan (b. 1897) and Louis (b. 1900). In 1916 they remarried on condition that there should be no more children, and later divorced again.
Later years
Osbourne spent the period of 1936 in the South of France with Yvonne Payerne, forty years his junior, by whom he had another son Samuel (born in Nice, 1936) when he was 68 years old. In 1941, Osbourne returned alone to the U.S. when America entered the war. Yvonne and Samuel arrived in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on May 22, 1947, the same day that he died in California.
Collaborations with Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Wrong BoxThe Wrong Box (novel)The Wrong Box is a black comedy novel co-written by Robert Louis Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne, first published in 1889. The story is about two brothers who are the last two surviving members of a tontine....
- The Ebb-TideThe Ebb-TideThe Ebb-Tide. A Trio and a Quartette is a short novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson and his stepson Lloyd Osbourne. It was published the same year Stevenson died.-Plot:...
- The WreckerThe Wrecker (novel)The Wrecker is a novel written by Robert Louis Stevenson in collaboration with his stepson Lloyd Osbourne. The story is a 'sprawling, episodic adventure story, a comedy of brash manners and something of a detective mystery'. It revolves around the abandoned wreck of the Flying Scud at Midway Island...
Other works
- The Queen Versus Billy and other stories (1900)
- Forty Years Between (March 1903)
- Love, The Fiddler (1903)
- The Fugitives of Pleasure (February 1904)
- The Motormaniacs (1905)
- Wild Justice: Stories of the South Seas (1921)
- An Intimate Portrait of R L S By His Stepson (1924)