Robert Louis Stevenson (13^th November 1850–3^rd December 1894)

Scottish author and amateur English flageolet player. Robert Louis Stevenson is perhaps the most famous amateur English flageolet player and is typical of the type of player who helped revive the English flageolet in the late 19^th Century. He travelled widely and always took his flageolet with him, in order to provide entertainment and diversion when he was far from home. He also mentioned flageolets frequently in his novels letters and many of his important characters were players, such has Harry Bertram in Guy Mannering. A fine photograph and engraving exist showing Stevenson, in bed, practising his instrument: