The Stevenson Circle
The Stevenson Circle Archer, William (1856-1924), journalist and critic. He was dramatic critic for Figaro, and later for the World and the Star. An admirer of Ibsen's work, he was instrumental in introduc- ing Ibsen's plays to the British public. Archer and RLS fre- quently corresponded, and Archer wrote a perceptive obituary, 'In Memoriam R.L.S.' (New Review, January 1895). Balfour, Dr Lewis (1777-1860), grandfather of RLS. RLS took his middle name of Lewis (later Louis) from his grandfather. As a boy RLS delighted in visiting Colin ton Manse, the home of his grandfather from 1823 to 1860. In his essay 'The Manse', included in MP, he gives an affectionate tribute to his recol- lections of the house and of his grandfather. Balfour, Sir Thomas Graham (1858-1929). One of RLS's many cousins, Balfour made his home at Vailima during the last two and a half years of RLS's life. His biography, published in 1901, is an extremely readable, competent and well-researched account. It suffers, however, from having been prepared so soon after Stevenson's death and is insufficiently detached from the protective influence of his widow. It remains an in- dispensable account of RLS and his circle, though inevitably some of Balfour's judgements have been superseded by later scholarship. Barrie, Sir James Matthew (1860-1937), novelist and playright. His first novel The Little Minister (1891), was much admired by RLS. Barrie was also the author of A Window in Thrums, Margaret Ogilvy, and Sentimental Tommy. His plays include The Admirable Crichton, Peter Pan and What Every Woman Knows.
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