Robert Louis Stevenson

Prose, without a doubt. Most people discover him through *Treasure Island*, *Jekyll and Hyde*, or *Kidnapped*. Although his poetry represents a smaller portion of his work, *A Child's Garden of Verses* is truly cherished, and "Requiem" stands out as one of the most frequently quoted epitaphs in English literature.

It's a brief poem that Stevenson crafted as his imagined epitaph — a straightforward expression of his wish to be buried beneath the open sky after a life of wandering. The last two lines were inscribed on his actual grave in Samoa. Rather than being morbid, it feels more like a sense of relief.

Both. *A Child's Garden of Verses* speaks to children but resonates with adults as well, since the poems offer honest observations about childhood instead of relying on sentimentality. His other works, like "Requiem," are clearly aimed at an adult audience.

He struggled with chronic lung disease throughout his life, and the cold, damp climate of Britain only aggravated his condition. For years, he traveled in search of places where he could breathe more easily and find work. The Pacific climate was a perfect fit for him; he fell in love with the landscape and the people, ultimately deciding to stay. He passed away there in 1894.

He spent long stretches in bed, and much of *A Child's Garden of Verses* was written during those times — poems reflecting on the world outside his window and imagining adventures he couldn't physically experience. The struggle between confinement and freedom is a recurring theme in much of his work.

Sure! Here's the humanized version: Yes, absolutely. Henry James was not only a close friend but also a great admirer. People regarded him as one of the best prose writers of his time. After he passed away, his reputation declined somewhat—mainly because he was closely linked to adventure stories, which critics often dismissed as genre fiction—but it has been steadily regaining ground.

With "Requiem," if you're looking for poetry — it's brief, it's well-crafted, and it reveals much about the man. For prose, *Treasure Island* remains the best starting point: it's quick-paced, it's clever, and it respects your intelligence.