The Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Timeline of Events - Visit our timeline of events to see what year noteworthy events occurred in the life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Doctor Conan Doyle and George Budd - In 1882 Conan Doyle was asked to join the medical practice of George Budd.  Conan Doyle asked three people for advise in the matter.  The vote was unanimous.  Everyone he consulted advised Conan Doyle against the move.  Conan Doyle did it anyway.

Doctor Conan Doyle - Learn about Conan Doyle's decision to become a doctor and his life in medical school.

Conan Doyle and James M. Barrie - Learn about the friendship between Conan Doyle and the author of Peter Pan, James M. Barrie.

Conan Doyle the Sportsman - Learn about Conan Doyle's lifelong passion for sports including golf, cricket and even boxing!

Skiing in Davos - It seems odd to think of a time when people didn't ski in Switzerland.  However, when Conan Doyle arrived in Switzerland in 1893 that was exactly the situation.  Learn how the man who invented Sherlock Holmes also helped to popularize skiing in Switzerland. 

The George Edalji Case  - It was a moment straight out of a Sherlock Holmes novel. In January of 1907 Conan Doyle walked into the lobby of a hotel. He was late for an appointment with a man who was trying to clear his name. As Conan Doyle entered the lobby he spotted George Edalji. In a flash Conan Doyle knew that Edalji was innocent.

The Oscar Slater Case - When William Gordon was released from Peterhead Prison he smuggled out a message from fellow prisoner, Oscar Slater.  The message, written on waterproof paper and hidden under Gordon's tongue, was a plea for help.  It was to be delivered to none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.>

The Knighting of Conan Doyle - Did you know that Conan Doyle wasn't knighted for his work on Sherlock Holmes?  He was knighted to service to his country for his work on a nonfiction "pamphlet" regarding the Boer War.

Conan Doyle and the Titanic - After the Titanic sank in 1912  Conan Doyle and George Bernard Shaw had a very public disagreement about the disaster.

The Wives of Conan Doyle - A man is torn between loyalty to his dying wife and the passion he feels for another woman. It's not a romance novel.  It was Conan Doyle's life for almost ten years.

World War One - When World War One broke out in 1914 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle tried to enlist in the military.  His offer was refused but that didn't stop Sir Arthur from contributing to the war effort.

Spiritualism - In 1916 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle made a declaration that would impact the rest of his life. 

His Mother - By anyone's definition Mary Foley Doyle, known as "the Ma'am" to her son Arthur Conan Doyle, was an interesting woman.

His Father - Learn more about the father of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Altamont Doyle, and his effect on this complicated man. 

Ship's Surgeon - In 1880 Conan Doyle had the adventure of a lifetime.