Robert Louis Stevenson and Katherine Mansfield in Menton

The novels Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson are universal bestsellers, republished and translated every year, adapted into films and comics. Stevenson was a prolific writer; The Master of Ballantrae, Kidnapped and The Black Arrow are also bookstore successes, along with his short stories, poetry and tales from the South Seas.

Stevenson stayed several times in Menton, a city located on the borders of Italy, the Principality of Monaco and the County of Nice. Menton very early acquired the reputation of having a microclimate favorable to the cure of pulmonary diseases and attracted many British and other Europeans, contributing to the tourist boom of the Côte d’Azur. Stevenson accompanied his parents there as a child, then returned as an adult. He wrote numerous letters and poems there and perfected his learning of the French language in this city and confirmed his vocation as a writer.

Katherine Mansfield is another internationally renowned writer who loved Menton. It has a street named after her, her anniversary is still celebrated there and there is a Foundation in her native New Zealand that sends a writer there each year.  She is best known as a pioneer of the modern short story form; ‘Miss Brill’ (1920), ‘The Garden Party’ (1922) and the ‘Daughters of the Late Colonel’ (1922) are among her better known works. Although it is less well known, both Mansfield and Stevenson had skills and aspirations as poets. They often wrote about very similar themes.

During this conference you’ll be able to meet Martin White the President of the European Cultural Route “In the Footsteps of Robert Louis Stevenson” who will introduce the Stevenson memories, footsteps and creativity of Menton; Dr Ainsley McIntosh, a Fellow at Edinburgh University Arts and Humanities, who will compare some Robert Louis Stevenson and Katherine Mansfield poetry; James Appleby, the poet and editor of Interpret Magazine who translated some of their poems, and will speak about the challenges of Interpretation.