Treasure Island is one of the most famous adventure novels ever written, first published in 1883. Written by Robert Louis Stevenson, it tells the thrilling story of young Jim Hawkins, who discovers a treasure map and is swept into a world of pirates, hidden islands, and dangerous betrayals.

This novel introduced many of the pirate tropes we know today: “X marks the spot,” parrots on shoulders, buried treasure, and the unforgettable figure of Long John Silver. Its influence has shaped nearly every pirate story written since.

The edition used here is based on the Project Gutenberg eBook of Treasure Island, illustrated by Milo Winter, and released online for free use under the Project Gutenberg License.

Author note: Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894) was a Scottish novelist, essayist, and poet. Beyond Treasure Island, his works include Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Kidnapped. Despite lifelong illness, his writing left a lasting legacy on adventure, horror, and fantasy literature.