Do you know Arthur’s methods? No? I don’t either…but Watson sure does. Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Scotland in the year of 1859. Arthur is the celebrated author of Sherlock Holmes, among several other prominent publications. A man of great intellect and curiosity, Arthur was often busy and frequently throwing himself into unfamiliar territory. Perhaps his early years have something to do with that. Arthur’s early life wasn’t all fun and games sadly. His father was an alcoholic and this caused the family to be split among friends homes, as their father wasn’t providing for the family.
In 1864 Arthur was sent to live with a friend of an Aunt and continued his schooling. He would often write to his mother and many of his letters to her have been saved and preserved for for those lucky enough to read over. Three years later, the family reunited and lived in tenement flats. Due to a couple of well-off Uncles, Arthur was thankfully always with a roof over his head, adequate meals, and respectable schooling. He attended Stonyhurst college until 1875. Nothing positive was said of the experiences here sadly. Much of their teaching methods focused on medieval principals and there was no genuine interest or compassion shown toward the children. Rather, they applied ritualistic humiliation and corporal punishment.
Arthur’s schooling seemed to never stop, as he next enrolled in medical school in 1876-1881. During his studies, Arthur took up writing short stories. He submit his first short story to a magazine and it was rejected. His first published story was, “The Mystery of Sasassa Valley”. Soon after completing this story, he set his focus on an academic article, “Gelsemium as a Poison”, which was later used in a murder investigation. Impressive! Solving cases already!
After graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery in 1881, he set off to the West African coast to sail as the ships surgeon. In 1885 he completed his M.D. degree, which I’m assuming came in very handy with all of his future murder mystery novels and short stories, that showcase Arthurs medical knowledge and expertise. He buddied up with an old classmate to start a medical practice, alas, friction grew between the two and they closed-up shop. He decided he needed to navigate this medical career solo, and opened his own practice. Much to his disappointment, he had no patients seeking his treatment. He used much of the slow time to write, but Arthur was a man who liked to stay busy. He resolved to close the practice.
In 1885 he married a woman named Louisa. She was a sister of a patient he had dealt with, and they couldn’t keep away from each other. It wasn’t a forever love though, as she had tuberculosis. One can’t help but wonder if he discovered it? She passed away in 1906. Soon after his marriage nuptials, (1891) Arthur studied ophthalmology in Vienna. His friend Vernon (that name sounds so trustworthy) suggested he spend six months here for training as an eye surgeon. He liked the idea (uh, no kidding!) and ran away to Vienna. Is it just me or is Arthur always seeking to learn something new? I really admire that curious ambition!
Arthur loved ice skating with his wife here and exploring the sights. In the evenings he would often go out for drinks with his good friend Brinsley, of the London Times. Arthur was a naturally skilled athlete who exceled at most sports. He played as a football goalkeeper for Portsmouth Football Club. Between 1899-1907, he played 10 first class cricket matches and also joined in with the amateur cricket teams. His highest score in 1902 was a 43. Arthur bowled on occasion and took on first-class whicket (W.G. Grace), who was known to be the best. Oh, but wait! We’re not done! He was an amateur boxer and was invited to referee a match featuring James Jeffries and Jack Johnson. Did I mention he was an athlete? I did? Okay, great! I failed to remember I was writing about a famous author for a second…so much athleticism stealing the show and all.
Arthur was also an avid golfer and was captain of a club in Sussex. In the 19th century, not many people knew of skiing. Apparently, our writer/extrovert/athlete star, (Arthur) practiced this sport. While he was living in Switzerland in 1894, he wrote an article for a magazine describing his passion for the sport and illustrating the beautiful scenery in great detail. Soon after, this activity became very popular and the connection of Switzerland + skiing was created!
Now….imagine if you will, the writer of Sherlock Holmes novels being involved in the investigation of not one, but two closed cases. Arthur was a fighter for those who weren’t given the chance deserved. There were two closed cases he felt quite compelled by. After looking into, he realized the details of the case did not match the conviction. The first case was in 1906. The accused was a shy half-British, half-Indian lawyer that had been accused of threatening letters and mutilating animals in Great Wyrley. This man was imprisoned and yet the mutilations continued. I agree, that sounds suspicious indeed. Due to the wrongful conviction of this man, the Court of Criminal Appeal was thus created.
The second case was a Jew of German origin who owned a gambling den and was convicted of beating an 82-year old woman. There were several inconsistencies in the case and upon speaking with the man (Oscar), Arthur had a deep intuition that he was innocent. The appeal was successful and Arthur beamed with pride, knowing Oscar had been innocent all along! Arthur had a few experiences in his school days that pushed him into a freemasonry mindset and he was often curious of mystical impressions. He had been good friends with the magician Harry Houdini and despite Harry openly discussing the truth of his magic being tricks and optical illusions, Arthur was convinced that he had powers. The two had a falling out once Harry Houdini’s mother passed away and Harry strongly vocalized resilient opposition to the spiritualist mediums, expressing the trickery and fraud involved. Arthur just enjoyed the idea of magic I suppose…even if shown things in black and white.
Back to the hobbies that just won’t stop growing…as if this guy wasn’t busy enough, Arthur was believe it not, part of a private club called “The Crimes Club”. Their focus was discussing crime and detection, and criminology. The club meets (yes, it’s still a thing) four times a year at hotel, where all accounts are confidential. This mysterious activity is one of the most fitting thus far, don’t you agree? Despite all the sports played, cases being appealed and books written, I can’t help but wonder what happened with his love life. Did he have time for a wife? A family? Actually, yes. He was a man who liked to stay busy, afterall. Arthur was remarried a year after his first wife passed. He actually had two children with his first wife and three with his second. Interestingly, none of his five children bore children of their own, so there is no direct “Sherlock” blood amongst us (as far as we know).
Arthur obviously lived a very busy, fulfilling life. He had adventures, saved lives, traveled, played sports…played some more sports, and had a loving family. It’s evident his mind was that of a curious one and he strived to continue learning, seeing, doing and putting himself in situations that he didn’t always have answers to, but always managed to enjoy navigating through the haze of cobwebs to solve. Sherlock Holmes character was inspired by one of Arthurs former university teachers, Joseph Bell. Arthur wrote the first five Holmes short stories from his office on Upper Wimpole Street, which is now honored by a plaque. At 71 years young, Arthur was found clutching his chest after passing from a heart attack. The words he last spoke were, “You are wonderful,” to his wife. Well, Sir Arthur Doyle, as are you.
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