At the Sea-Side

Robert Louis Stevenson published “At the Sea-Side” in 1885 as part of his collection A Child’s Garden of Verses. Stevenson dedicated his collection to his childhood nurse Alison Cunningham, whom he affectionately called “Cummy,” and who frequently read to the young Stevenson while caring for him. Written during the Late Victorian period, Stevenson’s poetry embodies important characteristics of this literary and historical era. Most importantly, “At the Sea-Side” connects with the Victorian period’s focus on colonialism and imperialism enacted through sea transportation and naval expeditions.

“At the Sea-Side” is a lyric poem offering the speaker’s personal feelings and thoughts. The poem itself is like a memory, with the speaker reminiscing about a childhood day spent on the beach digging in the sand. Stevenson’s biographical information provides additional framework for reading “At the Sea-Side.” Born into a family of lighthouse engineers, it was expected that Stevenson would continue in the family business, though he never did. From an early age, the sea was an important part of Stevenson’s life. Even as an adult, Stevenson crossed oceans and seas numerous times for love, for illness, and for adventure.

Poet Biography

Robert Louis Stevenson was born on November 13, 1850, in Edinburgh, Scotland.