Saved by the Lifeboat

Robert Michael Ballantyne's life as a fur trader in Canada at the age of 16 profoundly influenced his writing career. After returning to England, he channeled his adventurous experiences into storytelling, becoming a prominent adventure author of the 19th century. His notable work, The Coral Island, not only showcases his narrative prowess but also served as an inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's classic, Treasure Island. In addition to writing, Ballantyne was a talented artist, exhibiting his watercolors at the Royal Scottish Academy.