Father Damien: An Open Letter to the Reverend Dr. Hyde of Honolulu

"Father Damien: An Open Letter to the Reverend Dr. Hyde of Honolulu" by Robert Louis Stevenson is a fiery defense of a man's reputation, written with the moral clarity expected of the late 1800s. The book rebuts harsh words thrown at Father Damien, a missionary who chose to live among and care for people suffering from leprosy on Molokai. Stevenson's writing picks apart the accusations made by Reverend Dr. Hyde, who painted Damien as unrefined and driven by selfish ambition. Instead, Stevenson paints a vivid picture of a selfless man, emphasizing Damien's sacrifices and the deep appreciation shown by those he helped. He shows Damien as not perfect, but as someone whose good deeds overshadow any faults, arguing that Damien deserves to be seen as a hero because of his unwavering service to others despite immense hardship and neglect.