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Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer, whose literary contributions have become classics of English literature. Stevenson, scion of lighthouse-builders, battled with lifelong ill health, which compelled him to live much of his life in more amenable climates; this experience shaped much of his writing. Noted for his inventive and vivid storytelling, he became most famous for works such as 'Treasure Island' (1883), 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' (1886), and 'Kidnapped' (1886). Stevenson's foray into the exotic and suspenseful is also visible in 'New Arabian Nights' (1882), a collection that harnesses the mystical allure of the East and showcases his skill in ironic and fantastic tales that speak to universal human experiences. These narratives are part of his diverse opus which combines adventure with psychological depth, reflecting Stevenson's avant-garde approach to fiction and his ability to traverse genres. While Stevenson did not pen the classic 'Arabian Nights' or 'One Thousand and One Nights'-often associated with the name Andrew Lang-he undeniably contributed to the western literary canon with his unique pastiches and genres such as the short story cycle exemplified in 'New Arabian Nights.' Stevenson's literary style, often categorized under the movement of romanticism, is marked by his lucid, descriptive language, and his innate gift for engaging the reader with characters that are enduringly complex.
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