Arthur Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle
Biography of the Renowned Author of Sherlock Holmes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is commonly known as A.C.D. or simply Conan Doyle.
Birth and Death Dates
May 22, 1859 – July 7, 1930
Nationality and Profession(s)
Arthur Conan Doyle was a Scottish writer, physician, and public speaker. He held dual citizenship of the United Kingdom and France.
Early Life and Background
Conan Doyle was born to Charles Altamont Doyle, an artist, and Mary Foley Doyle. His father suffered from mental illness, which would later become a theme in his works. The family moved frequently during Arthur's childhood due to his father's job as a civil servant for the British Crown.
Arthur showed a keen interest in writing and storytelling at an early age. He attended Stonyhurst College in England before going on to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. After completing his medical studies, Doyle worked as a ship's doctor and later set up a practice in Southsea, England.
Major Accomplishments
Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for creating one of literature's most iconic characters: Sherlock Holmes. The character first appeared in the short story "A Study in Scarlet" (1887) and went on to become a global phenomenon through various novels and short stories.
Doyle's writing career spanned over four decades, during which he produced numerous books, plays, and articles. Some of his notable works include:
_The Hound of the Baskervilles_ (1902)
_The Sign of Four_ (1890)
_The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes_ (1892)Notable Works or Actions
Conan Doyle was a prolific writer, producing over 200 short stories and four novels featuring Sherlock Holmes. He also wrote several non-Holmesian works, including the historical novel _Micah Clarke_ (1889) and the science fiction story _The Lost World_ (1912).
In addition to his writing, Doyle was an advocate for spiritualism and wrote extensively on the subject. His experiences with mediumship and spiritualism influenced many of his later works.
Impact and Legacy
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's impact on literature is immeasurable. His creation of Sherlock Holmes has had a lasting influence on detective fiction and popular culture as a whole.
Conan Doyle was knighted in 1902 for his contributions to literature. He remained active in the public eye until his death on July 7, 1930, at the age of 71.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Arthur Conan Doyle's legacy is built on several key factors:
Innovative storytelling: His use of suspenseful plots and memorable characters raised the bar for detective fiction.
Cultural impact: Sherlock Holmes has become an integral part of popular culture, influencing countless adaptations, parodies, and references in other works.
Enduring appeal: The character's combination of intelligence, wit, and eccentricity continues to captivate readers worldwide.
Overall, Arthur Conan Doyle's remarkable life and career have left a lasting impact on literature and the world at large. His creation of Sherlock Holmes remains one of the most iconic figures in popular culture, ensuring his legacy will continue to inspire and entertain generations to come.
Quotes by Arthur Doyle
You know my powers, my dear Watson, and yet at the end of three months I was forced to confess that I had at last met an antagonist who was my intellectual equal. My horror at his crimes was lost in my admiration at his skill.
I carry my own church about under my own hat, said I. "Bricks and mortar won't make a staircase to heaven. I believe with your Master that the human heart is the best temple.
I passed close to the pterodactyl swamp, and as I did so, with a dry, crisp, leathery rattle of wings, one of these great creatures--it was twenty feet at least from tip to tip--rose up from somewhere near me and soared into the air. As it passed across the face of the moon the light shone clearly through the membranous wings, and it looked like a flying skeleton against the white, tropical radiance.
The landlady looked at him in a motherly way and shook her head. "You have had no great truck with the world," she said, "or you would have learned that it is the small men and not the great who hold their noses in the air.
A man loses his fortune; he gains earnestness. His eyesight goes; it leads him to a spirituality. The girl loses her beauty; she becomes more sympathetic. We think we are pushing our own way bravely, but there is a great Hand in ours all the time.
A little monograph on the ashes of one hundred and forty different varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco.
Dear me, Watson, is it possible that you have not penetrated the fact that the case hangs upon the missing dumb-bell?
