Robert Louis Stevenson’s Gothic horror story became an instant classic when it was published in 1886, enthralling a nation already spellbound by tales of violent crime. The unveiling of Dr. Jekyll’s strange relationship with his infamous creation forms one of the most memorable conclusions to any novel in English literature, and the characters have become a synonym for certain types of psychological behaviour. Stevenson described the story as an attempt ‘to find a body, a vehicle, for that strong sense of man’s double being which must at times come in upon and overwhelm the mind of every thinking creature’.

Robert Louis Stevenson - Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh in 1850 into a family of engineers. Stevenson inherited a love of the sea and adventure from his father and grandfather, both respected lighthouse designers and engineers. He devoted much of his short adult life to writing, yet only achieved widespread acceptance as a great writer in relatively recent times. Classics such as Treasure Island and Kidnapped have ensured that Stevenson is today the 25th most translated writer in the world. Despite persistent ill health, Stevenson travelled widely, often writing while abroad. He died in 1894, from tuberculosis, aged just 44.

Magnus Linklater - Born in Orkney, Magnus Linklater is a journalist and former newspaper editor. He worked on many national newspapers before returning to Scotland at the start of 1988 to become editor of The Scotsman, a position he held until 1994, when he left to become a freelance writer. He was appointed as Chair of the Scottish Arts Council in 1996, holding the post for five years.

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By the same author or foreword writer:
Kidnapped - No Longer Available By Robert Louis Stevenson;  James Naughtie (Foreword)
New Arabian Nights By Robert Louis Stevenson;  Robert Irwin (Foreword)