Who was the Real Jekyll and Hyde? | Documentary

Since its publication in 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson’s short novel Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde has fascinated the world and spawned countless adaptations, sequels, reinventions and over 100 movies.

The idea of how an apparently fine upstanding citizen can also be a evil minded
monster is as engrossing today as it was to Stevenson over 130 years ago.

But who inspired the Edinburgh born writer to create one of fiction’s most enduring
characters? This video explores the two main candidates for this dubious honour and
how Stevenson’s creation has been interpreted and reinterpreted over the years.

Finding Out More
Stevenson’s original story is only 70 pages long and available as a free download
from Project Gutenberg and other sites. If you prefer paper, I have added it and
some of the best biographies of Stevenson to my Amazon Store Page.

Academic References
Schultz, M. G. (1971) The Strange Case of Robert Louis Stevenson. JAMA, 216(1),
90-94.
Singh, S. M., and Chakrabarti, S. (2008). A study in dualism: The strange case of Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 50(3), 221.
Smith A.D. (1906) The Trial of Eugène Marie Chantrelle. Canada Law Book
Company, Toronto.
Wright, D. L. (1994). The Prisonhouse of my Disposition: A Study of the Psychology
of Addiction in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Studies in the Novel, 26(3), 254-267.

Copyright Disclaimer
The primary purpose of this video is educational. I have tried to use material in the
public domain or with Creative Commons Non-attribution licences wherever possible.
Where attribution is required, I have listed this below. I believe that any copyright
material used falls under the remit of Fair Use, but if any content owners would like
to dispute this, I will not hesitate to immediately remove that content. It is not my
intention to infringe on content ownership in any way. If you happen to find your art
or images in the video, please let me know and I will be glad to credit you.

Images
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons
Wellcome Collection
The Stevenson Museum, St Helena, California.

Music
Dead wrong Jeremy Blake CC0 YouTube
Missing persons Jeremy Blake CCO YouTube
Black Mass Brian Bolder CC0 YouTube
To have to in least Water Patches CC0 YouTube
Crystalline Amulets CC0 YouTube
Joke’s Lair Coyote Hearing CC0 YouTube
Fun House Coyote Hearing CC0 YouTube
Tension Nonstop Myuu CC0 YouTube
Tragic Story Myuu CC0 YouTube
Lurking Shadows Myuu CC0 YouTube
Underworld Myuu CC0 YouTube
Horror House Aaron Kenny CC0 YouTube
The Others are coming Hainbach CC0 YouTube
The Skye Boat Song Llansteffan - Elinor Bennett/Meinir Heulyn CC3.0
Our French Café Jimmy Fontanez Media Right Productions CC0 YouTube
Verdi Rigoletto Ernest Pike sings "La donna è mobile" Public Domain
Reggae Base Line Serolillo CC2.5

Video produced by Graeme Yorston and Tom Yorston.

Who was the Real Jekyll and Hyde? Documentary

#jekyllandhyde #history #documentary

[sallydevaux]

I travelled to Samoa where Robert’s home is meticulously preserved.There is a secret cupboard that his wife had built so she could hide when the indigenous Samonans became difficult. However, the son, learned to speak the local dialect and managed to negotiate to keep the peace. Robert Louis is buried on the island. It is quite a hike uphill to a high point above his home . A beautiful vista and tranquil spot. Well worth the effort. A place to reflect on the life of R.L.S, Also his stories I enjoyed so much when I was a child. I enjoyed your program. Thank you 🙏

[annerigby]

There was a person I used to think of as Dr Jekyll or Mrs Hyde, depending on whether she had been drinking or not. I am of the opinion that R.L. Stevenson's story is about intoxication/addiction.

[eliseintheattic]

I always thought it was a story about people in general who show one face publicly but become something else behind closed doors. There's nothing new about that, but the very proper, very strict, mannered Victorian society probably hid a lot of terrible behavior.

[Hydrocorax]

This puts me in mind of Stevenson's short story "The Body Snatcher, " which he wrote two years before Jekyll & Hyde, and was based on the Burke and Hare murders, which had happened fifty years earlier.

[juliaannegrider]

One
of the first people I have heard say you can't blame your bad behavior on your medical condition. I totally agree. Bravo... good video.

[Leslie.]

I like your short videos that spike our interest for these longer ones. They raise the anticipation!

[DeidreL]

Absolutely fascinating, Professor. I’ve often wondered if Stevenson was ruminating on his own dark side, something he might perhaps have become more aware of since partaking of his own exotic potion. He was a deep thinker and I love that after all these years we’re still talking about his work, and likely will be waaay into the future.

[arthuroldale-kiev]

I read years ago, that Stevenson had a friend that was a binge drinker, who went from a mild mannered, decent fellow, to a monster, when in his cups, I should say its fairly obvious, where the inspiration came from. Drink has this effect on more than one!

[claudiabothma]

Very enjoyable doccie. You do a great Scottish accent- which leads me to this joke:
A Scotsman is taking a tour of Canada. Upon his guide pointing out the local wildlife- a moose in particular, the Scotsman exclaims: " If that's a moose, I'd hate to see the size of your cats then!"

[MelissaFletcher-if]

I love your saying that schizophrenia is not the same thing as dissociative identity disorder. That always drives me up a wall.when people confuse them. I don't either, but thank you

[TheMeJustMe]

When I was a senior in highschool I had to write a paper on a writer so I picked Robert Louis Stevenson. I read Treasure Island, The Black Arrow and Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde. The Black Arrow was my favorite.

[williamsullivan]

This is great work. This generation needs quality like this.

[AlanWinterboy]

I like to listen to lectures while I work, and yours are above the average. Thank you for your historical service

[merlapittman]

I agree with your conclusion about the story of Jekyll and Hyde. After all, a cracking good yarn about good and evil is worth it without any deeper meanings!

[terrypitt-brooke]

Couldn't concur more with your concerns about the pathologization of evil. But you didn't mention what is the best "moral" for Stephenson's "cracking good tale"--that in his attempt to perfect himself through the technology of his draught, Jekyll inadvertently brought himself to the opposite state. A cautionary tale for Victorian society, convinced as it was of the perfectibility of technology, art, and humanity.

[autumnscott]

Loved this! And so enjoyed hearing someone in your profession say that excessively excusing choices as mental illness can lead to dangerous things. Thank you for your thorough videos

[markholland]

Once again fascinating video! I think the story is just a story. Being an artist….lay people invest so much in a work of art. Whereas the work is just a creation of the artist’s mind…no hidden meaning

[indigocheetah]

Thank you, Professor Yorston, You have a wonderful gift for bringing these eras of history and their people to life. Have you thought about a story on King Ludwig II?

[Connie-ex]

Thank you so much Professor Yorston ... I enjoyed every minute.... the story has always been to me a statement of good and evil in all of us.... the double life.... it is a recurring theme... I am a recovered alcoholic of 42 years and I can identify thanks again

[jay-ovvh]

I randomly found your channel from the vangoh video and learned i really like these old stories. they are like snapshots of a completely different world, very very interesting