Richard Pooley, the step-great-grandson of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and custodian of the Conan Doyle Estate, takes us through the multifaceted life of his ancestor. They discuss how Doyle transformed from a struggling ship's surgeon into the creator of Sherlock Holmes, blending science with storytelling. Pooley reveals the internal conflict Doyle faced after killing off Holmes and explores Doyle's passionate pursuits of justice and spiritualism. The conversation captures a man driven by curiosity, grappling with fame, grief, and the supernatural.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Inspiration Behind Sherlock Holmes
Arthur Conan Doyle drew inspiration for Sherlock Holmes from Dr. Joseph Bell, who used observation and logic to diagnose patients without questions.
Doyle witnessed Bell's deductive brilliance firsthand in Edinburgh Medical School's lecture theater.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Arctic Voyage Shaped Doyle
Doyle spent seven months as ship's surgeon on a whaling vessel in the Arctic, gaining formative life experiences.
He credited this brutal, adventurous journey as the moment he 'became a man.'
question_answer ANECDOTE
Crafting a Logical Detective
Doyle invented Sherlock Holmes to change detective fiction by emphasizing logic and deduction over intuition and luck.
Holmes was based on Dr. Joseph Bell and refined through other contemporaneous influences.
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The novel revolves around the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville and the legend of a giant hound said to haunt the Baskerville family. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson uncover the truth behind the deaths, revealing that the hound is not supernatural but a real dog used by Stapleton (actually Rodger Baskerville) to eliminate the heirs to the Baskerville fortune. The story unfolds on the eerie Dartmoor moorlands, where Holmes and Watson confront the hound and Stapleton, ultimately solving the mystery and saving Sir Henry Baskerville's life[2][3][4].
The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
This collection, first published in 1927, includes stories such as 'The Adventure of the Illustrious Client,' 'The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier,' and 'The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire.' These tales showcase Holmes's exceptional detective skills in various cases, often involving complex plots and intriguing characters. The stories were originally published in magazines between October 1921 and April 1927 before being compiled into this final set of Holmes stories.
Sir Nigel
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Nigel is a historical novel by Arthur Conan Doyle, set during the early phase of the Hundred Years' War. It follows the life of Nigel Loring, a young squire who seeks to become a knight and win the hand of Lady Mary by performing three acts of bravery. The novel explores themes of honor, chivalry, and war, providing a vivid portrayal of 14th-century life in England and Europe.
The white company
Arthur Conan Doyle
The White Company is a historical adventure novel by Arthur Conan Doyle, set during the Hundred Years' War. The story follows Alleyne Edricson, a young man raised in a monastery, as he joins the White Company, a band of English mercenaries led by Sir Nigel Loring. Together, they embark on a series of adventures and battles in France and Spain, culminating in the Battle of Nájera. Doyle's vivid depiction of medieval life and his exploration of themes such as chivalry and social class make this novel a compelling read.
The Great War
A Combat History of the First World War
Peter Hart
The Coming of the Fairies
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
In 'The Coming of the Fairies', Arthur Conan Doyle examines the famous Cottingley Fairies photographs taken by Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths. Doyle, a spiritualist, presents these images as evidence of psychic phenomena, discussing their authenticity and the reactions they provoked. The book includes observations from a clairvoyant and explores Theosophic views on fairies.
The Final Problem
The Final Problem
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Adventure of the Empty House
Adventure of the Empty House
Ben Dunn
Vincent Goodwin
Arthur Conan Doyle, a doctor, war volunteer, campaigner for justice, politician, and believer in the spirit world, created one of literature’s most famous characters. In his lifetime, he wrote ghost stories, political pamphlets, historical novels, and fantastical adventures.
But how did a young medical student from Edinburgh end up transforming crime fiction forever? What drove him to kill off - and then resurrect - the character who made him famous? And why did a man of science and reason spend so many years pursuing the supernatural?
This is a Short History Of Arthur Conan Doyle.
A Noiser Production. Written by Sean Coleman. With thanks to Richard Pooley, the step-great-grandson of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
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Short History Of... 
