Stevenson and Van de Grift: A Tale of Love and Struggle

In a poignant narrative of love and resilience, Robert Louis Stevenson and Fanny Van de Grift emerged from starkly different backgrounds. Van de Grift, a mother of two from a mining family in Indiana, escaped her troubled marriage and relocated to France, where she met Stevenson at an artist’s retreat in 1876. Described as possessing a vibrant personality that combined sensuality with a rebellious spirit, Fanny captivated Stevenson, who saw her as a kindred spirit and fellow outsider. Despite their deep connection, Stevenson faced significant health challenges throughout his life. Suffering from chronic respiratory issues and exacerbated by his lifestyle choices, including opium and alcohol use, he often described himself as frail. When he married Fanny in 1880, he humorously noted his physical state, likening himself to “an emblem of mortality.” Fanny, deeply concerned for his well-being, dedicated herself to finding remedies for his ailments, often taking him on arduous journeys to seek cleaner air. The couple eventually settled in Samoa in 1889, where they built a home on a sprawling 300-acre property. However, their idyllic life was marred by Stevenson’s declining health. On December 3, 1894, he succumbed to a stroke at the age of 44. Just days before his death, Stevenson expressed a sense of impending loss, poignantly stating, “I have lost the path that makes it easy and natural for you to descend the hill.” Their story remains a testament to love amidst adversity.