Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

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The Creator of One of Fiction's Most Popular Characters

There can be little doubt that the name of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle will forever be synonymous with the famous resident of 221B Baker Street, a certain Mr Sherlock Holmes. This, while understandable given the popularity of the character and his adventures, is also perhaps a trifle unfortunate, especially when one considers the number and diversity of the other works penned by Doyle. It will therefore be my aim on this site to give an impartial and balanced view of the man, his works and his life.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The Formative Years 

A brief look at his childhood and education

Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags 005Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh in 1855, the son of an Irish father and English mother. His early education was at a Roman Catholic school in the city but by the time he had reached adulthood he had abandoned Christianity in favour of Spiritualism. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where one of his professors, Dr Joseph Bell, would later become his inspiration for Sherlock Holmes.

The Life and Times of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 

The man who created Sherlock Holmes

The Man Who Created Sherlock Holmes: The Life and Times of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Man Who Created Sherlock Holmes: The Life and Times of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

by: Andrew Lycett

Amazon Price: $25.80 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $30.00

A Study In Scarlet (1887) 

A Sherlock Holmes Novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Technically a novella, this work was the very first to feature the legend that would soon become Sherlock Holmes and details the circumstances of his first encounter with Dr Watson. Retired from the Army, Watson is in need of accomodation and is directed to Holmes by a friend. During the initial meeting of the two, we are introduced to Holmes' deductive powers and reasoning as he disects Watson's background and circumstances.

Holmes is soon summoned by officers of Scotland Yard to give his input in the curious murder of an American gentleman in Brixton. The new friends are soon embroiled in a plot which includes the Mormons, a secret society and several grisly killings before Holmes finally ties it all together. As will become his frequent custom, he allows the credit for solving the case to go to the officers from Scotland Yard.

The Sign of Four (1890) 

A Sherlock Holmes Novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A story of stolen treasure, a solemn pact and betrayal. The events which take place in London in the late Victorian era have their origins more than thirty years previously, in India, during a local uprising. Much of this novel is therefore taken up by the killer's account of events over those three decades.

The Complete Sherlock Holmes 

All 4 novels and 56 short stories together in one volume at a rock bottom price!

This 1000-page plus publication contains all the novels and short stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle including the characters Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. It represents fantastic value both for the connoisseur of Holmes and the new initiate, as well as everyone in between. If you thought you knew all there is to know about the cases and the investigations, this book may serve as a shock.

Click on the link to visit Amazon.com and buy this book at the magnificent price advertised today. Bargains like this don't last forever!

NB Not in the USA? Don't worry! Amazon will recognise this fact automatically from your IP address and give you the opportunity to divert to your own country's Amazon site for local pricing information.
Complete Sherlock Holmes

Complete Sherlock Holmes

by: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Amazon Price: $18.45 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $27.95

William Wallace - Probably the Most Famous Scot of All 

A look at the truth behind the Braveheart movie

featured lens William Wallace - Braveheart

Whatever your own particular perspective causes you to think of William Wallace, surely no one can deny that he must have been quite a remarkable man in many ways? It was William Wallace who provided the inspiration and determination for the downtro...

The Hound of Baskervilles (1902) 

A Sherlock Holmes Novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

This spooky tale is probably the best known of all those featuring Sherlock Holmes. It tells of the legend of a massive hound which stalks the moorlands around Baskerville Hall and has spelled the end for successive Lords of the Manor. When the new incumbent, Sir Henry, arrives from Canada to take up residence and receives a cryptic note warning him to stay away, Sherlock Holmes is called in to investigate.

The Valley of Fear (1914/15) 

A Sherlock Holmes Novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The fourth and final full length Sherlock Holmes novel first appeared as a serialisation in "The Strand" magazine between 1914/15 and was first published in book form later in 1915. It is again a story told over a time span of decades and features among other things the famous "Pinkerton" detective agency and a not quite specified "Brotherhood."

Sherlock Holmes on DVD 

Bargains to be had in the definitive collections

Basil Rathbone played Sherlock Holmes on the silver screen no fewer than twelve times in the 1930's and 40's. With Nigel Bruce co-starring as Dr Watson, many still cherish these works as the definitive collection.

In 1984, Granada TV in the UK began producing a series of Holmes episodes taken from the short story collections and starring Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, with David Burke as Dr Watson. The series ran for ten years prior to the death of Brett in 1995.

The complete collection for each of these series can be seen featured below. Surely a must for any genuine fan of the world's most famous sleuth.
The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection

The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection

Amazon Price: $62.49 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $129.98

Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Granada Television Series (12 DVD)

Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Granada Television Series (12 DVD)

Amazon Price: $109.99 (as of 07/12/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $229.98

Are You a Big Fan of Mystery Stories? 

Here is something completely different...

The adventures of Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick, Dr Watson, do unquestionably form some of the best mystery stories ever written but I wonder what Holmes would make of some of modern life's mysteries? By that, I mean those mysterious events which occur round about us in everyday life yet often defy both logic and reason. Click on the link below to find out more about what I mean:

The World's Greatest Mysteries

More Sherlock Holmes Resources from Around the Net 

Click on any link for more details

Sherlock Holmes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sherlock Holmes on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Sherlock Holmes - The Sherlock Holmes Museum of Baker Street
Sherlock Holmes and Doctor John H. Watson lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881-1904, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Sherlock Holmes on the Web: the Sherlockian.Net Holmepage
Perhpas the ultimate Sherlock Holmes fan site
221B Baker Street: Sherlock Holmes
Stories, Pictures, Other Links
The Sherlock Holmes Society of London Website
The Sherlock Holmes Society of London Website

What did you think? 

Are you a Conan Doyle fan...or just a Sherlock Holmes fan?

Stumble It!

I hope that you have enjoyed reading through this site and that at the very least you are now aware that there was much more to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle than Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson!

Thank you for your visit and your time and I hope that you can spare just another couple of moments to share your thoughts below.

Lensmaster

RolandTumble wrote...

I really quite liked "The White Company", a non-Holmes historical.

ReplyPosted November 30, 2008