Why Author Robert Louis Stevenson Gave His Birthday To A Child Unhappy With Her Christmas Birthday
The famous writer made headlines by “legally” transferring his own birthday to a young child who wanted a different one
Birthdays are a special day of the year for each individual to mark the passing of another year of their lives. In particular, children often cherish these personal holidays, as they not only are the object of attention for a day, but also have tangible proof that they are getting older and closer to being an adult. Unfortunately, not every young person likes the day on which they were born, as not all birthdays are equal. That’s exactly why famed author and poet Robert Louis Stevenson legally bequeathed his own birthday to a young girl who didn’t believe her own, which was on Christmas day, was special enough.
Scottish born Stevenson became a celebrated writer and poet, whose memorable works included Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, and Kidnapped. Having passed away in 1894, he remains a viable author who has reached classic status and is still read widely. In 2018, he was the 26th most translated author in the world, just one spot behind Charles Dickens.
In 1890, Stevenson settled in Samoa, inspired in part for his penchant of writing about the South Seas and adventure. He continued his work there, focusing more on darker realism than his earlier material until his death in 1894 from a stroke at the age of 44. However, in his final years he made headlines for an incredible act of kindness he made in gifting an extraordinary and unusual gift to an unhappy girl named Annie Ide.
In 1891, Ide was also living with her family in Samoa. The young girl’s birthday was on December 25th — a fact that she detested because in her mind Christmas detracted from what should be her big day in terms of attention and presents. The issue resonated with the author, who decided to do something quite outside norm to help the 13-year-old out.
Stevenson, had it (not officially) legally stipulated in a “deed” that he drew up that he was bequeathing his own birthday (November 13th) to Ide. However, it came with the provision that the girl had to keep handing it down in her family through subsequent generations or that the day would officially revert to the President of the United States.
It was further mandated by Stevenson that Ide had to follow specific requirements on her new birthday. These included:
“To use my birthday with moderations and humanity et tamquan mia familiar, the said birthday not being so young as it once was, and having carried me in a very satisfactory manner since I can remember.”
Furthermore, she was asked to make sure to do the following:
“Sporting fine raiment, eating rich meats, and receipt of gifts, compliments and copies of verse.”
Ide eventually became Anne Bourke-Cocrran, moving to New York (marrying Congressman William Rourke Cockran). She honored Stevenson’s wishes, passing down the birthday. In 1933, it was reported that her niece, Anita Leslie, was set to inherit the festive day since she never had children of her own. Some of Ide’s friends followed suit in gifting their own children who disliked their official birthdays new days in kind.
Ide passed away in 1945 at the age of 68. However, the birthday tradition has kept going strong. In 2015, it was reported that her great, great niece, Heather Finn, was in possession of Stevenson’s birthday, even visiting his native Scotland.
Robert Louis Stevenson packed a lot into a relatively short life. In addition to his remarkable writing career, he also made a young girl very happy by doing the impossible and giving her a brand new birthday. It was so impactful that it has remained celebrated to this day, much like his literary genius.
