Full Name: Dr. Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle Date of Birth: May 22, 1859 Place of Birth: Edinburgh, Scotland Died: July 7, 1930 Place of Death: Crowborough, Sussex, England Classification: Artists & Entertainers

Although his name brings immediate recognition of what is regarded as literature’s most profound detective, Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle created another world for his readers to explore. This world was one where careful pondering, investigation, and a sprinkle of genius meant that what seemed true may not actually be real.

Born into a somewhat wealthy Irish Catholic family, they encouraged young Arthur in the arts. After Stonyhurst College, he went to Edinburgh, where he earned his medical degree nearly ten years later. During his studies, however, he submitted his writings to several publications, which published his work anonymously.

With a family, and a medical practice in ophthalmology, he settled down in London and continued submitting stories that were published in Cornhill Magazine – a top publication enjoyed by the masses of Great Britain. His first novel called, A Study in Scarlet introduced Sherlock Holmes to the reading public who demanded more. This resulted in Conan Doyle to quit his medical practices and dedicate himself to writing more Sherlock Holmes stories.

Sherlock Holmes and his trusted sidekick who was also the narrator of the tales, Doctor Watson, would work together to solve crimes that other detectives had rushed over. His second book called A Scandal in Bohemia gained him even more fame and fortune. After Holmes’ death in The Final Problem, people accepted the character’s fate when nine years later Doyle released ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles,’ which saw Holmes and Watson at their best.

Sir Author Conan Doyle regarded his other writings more important than Sherlock Holmes. Doyle was able to use his success as an author with a well-known name to delve into other subjects, both literary and nonfiction. His patriotic zest for England led him to cover the Boer War in South Africa, where he wrote The Great Boer War in 1900. For his support, he was knighted for his coverage in another book called The War in South Africa, which supported England’s actions abroad.

In his other nonfiction writings, he focuses on war and its societal implications. In his later works, he dabbles in spiritualism and psychic powers, which he had always been interested in, even as a medical student. He was able to lecture at home and abroad on his beliefs and findings in spiritualism and gained an international following. His works in the field include The New Revelation, The Vital Message, and History of Spiritualism.

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