Portait of Arthur Conan Doyle

Timeline

Lifetime: 1859 - 1930 Passed: ≈ 93 years ago

Title

British Writer

Country/Nationality

United Kingdom
Wikipedia

Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle was a British author and physician, born on May 22, 1859, in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. He is widely known for his fictional detective stories featuring the iconic character of Sherlock Holmes. However, his contributions to literature and other fields of interest extended far beyond this famous detective.

Doyle was a man of principles and values, and one of his most notable characteristics was his sense of justice. He firmly believed in the importance of truth and fairness, and he often used his writing to promote these ideals. His work often explored issues such as crime, social injustice, and political corruption, and he was not afraid to use his platform to call attention to these issues.

Arthur Conan Doyle is most famous for creating the character of Sherlock Holmes, who first appeared in the novel "A Study in Scarlet" in 1887. This character quickly became a cultural icon and is still celebrated today. Doyle wrote a total of four novels and 56 short stories featuring Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick, Dr. John Watson. The popularity of these stories has inspired countless adaptations and spin-offs in various media, including films, TV shows, and video games.

Aside from his Sherlock Holmes stories, Doyle wrote many other notable works. These include historical novels such as "The White Company" and "Sir Nigel," as well as science fiction novels such as "The Lost World." He was also a prolific writer of non-fiction, with works ranging from biographies to articles on spiritualism and the occult.

Doyle's philosophy was one of rationalism and skepticism, tempered with a sense of wonder and curiosity. He was a firm believer in science and reason, but he was also fascinated by the mysteries of the universe and the possibility of the supernatural. This interest in the occult led him to become a prominent figure in the spiritualist movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and he even claimed to have had contact with spirits through mediums.

Arthur Conan Doyle died on July 7, 1930, at the age of 71, in Crowborough, East Sussex, England. He is remembered today as one of the most influential and beloved writers of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. His work has inspired countless writers, and his legacy continues to be celebrated around the world. In addition to his literary contributions, Doyle is also remembered for his humanitarian efforts, including his work as a volunteer medic during the Boer War and his advocacy for various social causes.

One interesting fact about Arthur Conan Doyle is that he was not always a successful writer. In fact, his first novel, "The Narrative of John Smith," was never published during his lifetime and was only discovered and released in 2011. Despite this setback, Doyle continued to pursue his passion for writing and eventually found great success with his Sherlock Holmes stories and other works.

In conclusion, Arthur Conan Doyle was a multifaceted individual whose contributions to literature, science, and social justice continue to be celebrated today. His famous character, Sherlock Holmes, is just one small part of his rich legacy, which includes a wide range of fiction and non-fiction works, as well as his humanitarian efforts and interest in the occult. Arthur Conan Doyle will always be remembered as one of the greatest writers of his time, and his work will continue to inspire and entertain readers for generations to come.

Books by Arthur Conan Doyle

The Return of Sherlock Holmes Cover image

The Return of Sherlock Holmes

Fiction Novel
Short Story Mystery Detective novel Thriller

A young gambler is found shot dead in a closed room. Dr. Watson, who still mourns the disappearance of his famous friend is intrigued enough to step out of his house and take a look at the crime scene. A crowd has gathered there, curiously gazing up...

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Cover image

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

Fiction Novel
Detective novel Short Stories

For more than a century and a quarter, fans of detective fiction have enjoyed the doings of the iconic sleuth, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. In the company of his faithful companion, Dr Watson, Holmes has consistently delighted generations of readers. Created...

The Hound of the Baskervilles Cover image

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Crime Fiction Novel
Mystery Detective novel

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle thought he had finished forever with his immortal sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his chronicler, Dr Watson. Exhausted and bored with the Holmes saga, he wanted to turn to more serious writing. In the short story The Final Problem,...

Tales of Terror and Mystery Cover image

Tales of Terror and Mystery

Fiction Fairy Tale
Mystery Short Stories

Though Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for his detective stories, he also wrote other short stories which are masterpieces of mystery and suspense. In some of the stories in “Tales of Terror and Mystery”, a suppressed uneasiness gradually builds...

The Sign of the Four Cover image

The Sign of the Four

Fiction Novel
Mystery Graphic novel India

A secret shared by four convicts and two prison guards, a daughter in search of her missing father, a strange gift of a single pearl received every year, a fabulous treasure buried in the ancient Agra Fort in India, an eccentric detective being consu...

His Last Bow Cover image

His Last Bow

Crime Fiction
Detective Mystery

His Last Bow: Some Reminiscences of Sherlock Holmes is a 1917 collection of previously published Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, including the titular short story, "His Last Bow. The War Service of Sherlock Holmes" (1917). The collecti...

The Lost World Cover image

The Lost World

Fantasy Adventure Science Fiction Novel
Nature Life

The Lost World is a science fiction novel by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle, published in 1912, concerning an expedition to a plateau in the Amazon basin of South America where prehistoric animals still survive. It was originally published seriall...

A Study in Scarlet Cover image

A Study in Scarlet

Crime Fiction Novel
Detective Mystery Thriller

A Study in Scarlet is an 1887 detective novel written by Arthur Conan Doyle. The story marks the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who would become the most famous detective duo in popular fiction. The book's title derives from a sp...

The Valley of Fear Cover image

The Valley of Fear

Crime Fiction Novel
Detective Mystery Observation

The Valley of Fear is the fourth and final Sherlock Holmes novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It is loosely based on the Molly Maguires and Pinkerton agent James McParland. The story was first published in the Strand Magazine between September 1914 and...

The Tragedy of the Korosko Cover image

The Tragedy of the Korosko

Fiction Novel
Imperialism

The Tragedy of the Korosko is a novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. It was serialized a year earlier in The Strand magazine between May and December 1897, and was later turned into a 1909 play Fires of Fate.

A Visit to Three Fronts: June 1916 Cover image

A Visit to Three Fronts: June 1916

War
Military

My experiences and impressions are here set down, and may have some small effect in counteracting those mischievous misunderstandings and mutual belittlements which are eagerly fomented by our cunning enemy. - Summary by Arthur Conan Doyle, Crowborou...

The Doings of Raffles Haw Cover image

The Doings of Raffles Haw

Fiction Novel
Gold Inventions

The Doings of Raffles Haw (1891) is a novel by Scottish author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle involving an inventor who has discovered a way to turn lead into gold.

The Adventures of Gerard Cover image

The Adventures of Gerard

Adventure Action Fiction
War Short Stories

These lesser known stories were penned by Conan Doyle during the period between killing off Sherlock Holmes in 1893 and reluctantly resurrecting him some ten years later. The swashbuckling, eponymous hero, Etienne Gerard, is one of Napoleon's gallant...

Uncle Bernac: A Memory of the Empire Cover image

Uncle Bernac: A Memory of the Empire

Crime Fiction
Detective Historical

Looking for a replacement to Sherlock Holmes after the author had killed him off in 1894, Doyle wrote this murder mystery in the dying years of the 19th century. Set in Napoleon's era, it involves a Frenchman returning to his native land to join the...

The Green Flag and Other Stories of War and Sport Cover image

The Green Flag and Other Stories of War and Sport

Fiction War
Military Customs Sports

Arthur Conan Doyle was deeply affected by the many wars fought during his lifetime. As many other writers, he used the material for short stories, a collection of which is presented here.

The Parasite Cover image

The Parasite

Horror Fiction Novel
Supernatural Occult Short Works

The Parasite is an 1894 novelette by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The Parasite makes use of a form of mind control similar to the mesmerism of the Victorian era; it works on some hosts but not others.

The White Company Cover image

The White Company

Fiction History
Heroic War The Knight

The White Company is a historical adventure by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle, set during the Hundred Years' War. The story is set in England, France, and Spain, in the years 1366 and 1367, against the background of the campaign of Edward, the Bla...

The Poison Belt  Cover image

The Poison Belt

Adventure Action Fiction
Detective Science Fiction Lost World Determination Beliefs Humankind

The Poison Belt is a science fiction novel by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle, the second book about Professor Challenger. Written in 1913, much of it takes place in a single room in Challenger's house in Sussex. This would be the last story writte...

The Coming of the Fairies  Cover image

The Coming of the Fairies

Philosophy Religion
Twentieth Century Truth Spirit Spirituality Beliefs

Before Darwin, human emotional life had posed problems to the western philosophical categories of mind and body. Darwin's interest can be traced to his time as an Edinburgh medical student and the 1824 edition of Sir Charles Bell's Anatomy and Philos...

Danger! and Other Stories  Cover image

Danger! and Other Stories

Novel
Short Story Submarines Single Author Collections World Wars Strategy England Suffering British

The story describes Britain's need to update its naval preparations. Norland, a fictional small country in Europe has been fighting England and is now invaded by an English army. However, Norland has a naval flotilla of submarines commanded by Captai...

Through the Magic Door  Cover image

Through the Magic Door

Novel
Death Literature Literary Criticism Magic

Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Through the Magic Door” was serialized in 1906-07 when he was 48. His famous Sherlock Holmes stories appeared in The Strand Magazine 1891-93 (with the supposed death of the great detective at Reichenbach Falls) and 1901-27. The...

The Great Shadow Cover image

The Great Shadow

Action
Marriage Battle Ship Historical Fiction Travelling Childhood Life

The Great Shadow, also known as The Great Shadow and other Napoleonic Tales, is an action and adventure novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and published in 1892 in J.W. Arrowsmith’s Bristol Library. The novel takes place in the Napoleonic era on...

The Hill of Dreams  Cover image

The Hill of Dreams

Horror Novel
Dream Poverty Autobiography London Suffering Rural Supernatural Fiction

The novel recounts the life of a young man, Lucian Taylor, focusing on his dreamy childhood in rural Wales, in a town based on Caerleon. The Hill of Dreams of the title is an old Roman fort where Lucian has strange sensual visions, including ones of...

Songs of Action  Cover image

Songs of Action

Poetry
War Action Adventure Poems Songs

This is a collection of poems by Arthur Conan Doyle centering around the theme of war, action and adventure.

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