Ballantyne, R. M.
Ballantyne, R. M. (1825-1894), was a Scottish writer who wrote adventure stories for boys. They became popular for their exciting plots, healthy, open-air backgrounds, and strong moral tone. The stories centered on resourceful heroes. Ballantyne based all his fiction on his own personal experiences. He traveled widely to research the material for his fiction. Probably the best known of his many books is The Coral Island (1858).