R.M. Ballantyne was a prolific Scottish writer whose firsthand experiences in Canada with the Hudson’s Bay Company lent authenticity to his adventure stories. His most famous work, The Coral Island, became a classic of children’s literature, blending excitement with moral lessons. Ballantyne’s tales often emphasized courage, resourcefulness, and Christian values, influencing later authors like Robert Louis Stevenson. Though criticized for colonialist perspectives, his books remain nostalgic favorites for their vivid depictions of far-flung locales.