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The Memoir

Of
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
By Haley Oliphant

Table of Contents:
Dear Reader ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
The Prolific Writer ----------------------------------------------------------- 2
The Excerpt from the Diary ------------------------------------------------3
The Aspects of the Character --------------------------------------------- 4
A Study inInk? -------------------------------------------------------------- 5
The Case of the Peculiar Fan Mail -------------------------------- 6 - 7
The Final Problem ----------------------------------------------------------- 8
Notes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
Bibliography ------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Dear Reader,
I have always been a fan of mystery novels the warped minds of
murderers, the ingenious plots, the constant twists and turns. I really wanted to
write about someone who was really famous in the realm of mystery books. My
first thought was Sherlock Holmes, but of course hes a fictional character...then I
thought to look to the author. Sherlock Holmes had to come from somewhere,
right? And I discovered so much more about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle than I ever
thought I would.
When I first began researching Doyle, I only knew he was the author of
Sherlock Holmes. I didnt know when he was born, when he died, his history,
nothing. Yet, I knew he was this amazing person that had really given birth to
modern-day fiction. Before his mystery novels, authors would have characters
merely stumble upon the right facts at the right moments to solve mysteries.
There was no deduction, no observation, it was just purely coincidental. After Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle wrote his first mystery novel, however, there was no way the
world could go back to that. There was finally a basis for the genre of Mystery.
The question that frequented my mind the most was, How in the world
did Doyle come up with Sherlock Holmes? This question was answered very
gradually, and over time I saw that the basis of Sherlock Holmes was Doyle
himself. It was also startling to realize that Doyle was a lot like me. I began
wondering if he had the same thought process as I do, if he loved psychology,
criminology, and to my greatest pleasure, he did! Its truly amazing how much we
are alike, but I will say that I can only hope to be as skilled in observation as he
was.
Researching Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a lot harder than it seems. There
were virtually no biographies about him in the library system, and the few web
search results that turned up were all about Sherlock Holmes. I was lucky enough
to get the book, The Real World of Sherlock Holmes: The True Crimes Investigated
by Arthur Conan Doyle, which explored how Sherlock Holmes came about, and

the psychology behind Doyles writing. I was also able to find a few websites with
tidbits of good information that I could piece together and later make into a
genre, but it took a lot of effort.
I learned so much about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from this research. Even
though I had limited resources, they were effective. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a
dabbler and boy did he dabble! His poor relationship with his father was his
driving force to be a successful person. If you want to learn more information,
keep reading!
I think the strongest connection I made was that Doyle was the starting
point for all modern-mystery literature. He was Sherlock Holmes, and he started
something that would entertain millions for many years to come. Without him,
there would be no Monk, Psych, Criminal Minds, Nancy Drew, Case Closed. They
wouldnt exist if it werent for Doyles ideas! He is an awe-inspiring writer who
was able to create a whole new genre of fiction. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is the
father of Mystery.

The Excerpt from the Diary


My father disappeared into his study again today. It doesnt surprise mehes been doing that
quite often lately. Must be another case hes working on. A robbery perhaps? Nothis tension seems
much more like murder
We went to the diner yesterday, my father and I. His deduction skills are truly amazing. He was
able to identify where each customer had been before they arrived at the dinerfrom across the room!
He also inquired of the maitre d as to when he had served in the war. The young man was taken aback,
and shortly after he had answered and taken our order, he scuttled away; clearly with an interesting
story to tell his fellow staff. My father smiled and told me that he had merely looked at marks on the
mans ankles and wrists and drew the simple conclusion. Truly amazing
--Adrian Conan Doyle

The Aspects of the Character


A little observation.
A dash from him,
A pinch from thee.
Perhaps some boxing skills?
A dash from him,
A pinch from thee.
Deduction must be added.
A dash from him,
A pinch from thee.
A violinist? Yes, quite suitable.
A dash from him,
A pinch from thee.
Untidy lodgingswell, if I must.
A dash from him,
A pinch from thee.
Might as well throw in drug use.
A dash from him,
A pinch from thee.
Privacy should fit here somewhere
A dash from him,
A pinch from thee.
As I look back,
I can clearly see,
This character resembles a lot of
Me.
--Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Case of the Peculiar Fan Mail


INT. DOYLES HOME STUDY MIDDAY
DR. JOSEPH BELL enters the study to find SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE in a huge disarray of letters.

DR. JOSEPH BELL


By God, Doyle, what is all of this?
SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
(rubs the back of his neck)
My dear Joseph, this isfan mail.
DR. JOSEPH BELL
You cant be serious, this is ALL fan mail?
SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
Yes, unfortunately. Most of them are actually realistic
and quite flattering, but otherswell
DR. JOSEPH BELL
(looking around the study)
Regardless, we have to figure out some way
to deal with all of this.
SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
All of these people are lunatics! They keep writing
to inform me of their peculiar problems. They
seem to think that Ibetter yet, Sherlock
Holmesam the only one who can solve them!

DR. JOSEPH BELL


Well, lets just see how crazy these people are.
(begins sorting through the letters)
SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
(picks up lettersone after another)
Look here, this young man from Glasgow writes the exact time in
which he composes his letters. This ones from a merchant in Liverpool

who burns to know who Jack the Ripper is. And heres a group of people
who believe their neighbors are starving maiden aunts to death in
sealed attics!
DR. JOSEPH BELL
Calm down, Doyle. Its just a few fans whove had too much
to drink and read too many of your Sherlock novels.
SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE
I am calm, Joseph its just this fan letter business is
such a nuisance. I mean look at this mess! This ones
even addressed to Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street!
This is madness!

The Final Problem


Mary Doyle heard the front door creak shut, and quietly listened to her sons footsteps as he
made his way to the kitchen. How was Switzerland? she called, as she began drying the next plate.
Arthur Conan Doyle burst through the door with an enormous grin and said, It was breathtakingly
beautifulthe perfect place for it to end! He walked over to the table and began to break out his
materials; paper, pen, ink. Mrs. Doyle stopped her dish work and turned to look at him. So youve
decided? Are you sure you want to do this? Arthur sat down in the smooth brown chair with a calm
certainty. Yes, he said slowly, Ive had enough of him. He took a deep breath and began to scribble
ideas onto the faded parchment. Mrs. Doyle slowly walked across the cold tile floor towards him and
laid a tentative hand on his shoulder. Think of all the lives he affected, all the people who love him.
Does thisdoes he really have to come to an end? Arthur Doyle looked into the concerned eyes of his
mother, but his mind was made up. I grow weary of his name. All people seem to know me for is
himand yet he takes my mind from better things. He turned back to his work and began writing.
Ive already decided. Sherlock Holmes must die.

Notes
Piece 1 The Prolific Writer:
Throughout his life, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle dabbled in many things from spiritualism
to sports. It is my opinion that his greatest impact on the world was through his writing, and
that he enjoyed it the most. Doyle gave up his medical career to become a writer, and also was
asked on countless occasions to look into real-life cases as a criminologist.

Piece 2 The Excerpt from the Diary:


Adrian Conan Doyle greatly admired his father, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. His father was a
fantastic observer, and Adrian would often accompany him to diners and watch as his father
would draw conclusions from the tiniest of details. But with this talent came a price; Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle often locked himself in his study in order to try and piece together the answers to
local cases drawing a feeling of tension into the household.

Piece 3 The Aspects of the Character:


Most of Doyles Sherlock Holmes character was drawn from bits and pieces of other
characters and people. Sherlocks violin skills were drawn from an Edinburgh character named
James McGovan who was created by William Crawford Honeyman. Most people say that the
main basis of Holmes observation and deduction skills came from Dr. Joseph Bell, but some do
argue that they are drawn from Doyle himself. Regardless, like Holmes, Doyle was untidy, very
private about his life, a skilled boxer, and experimented with drugs.

Piece 4 A Study inInk?


This cartoon depicts an actual event in Sir Arthur Conan Doyles life. Doyle did actually
pause his writing of The White Company in order to write The Sign of Four to satisfy the needs
of Sherlock fans. He also did refer to Sherlock Holmes novels and stories as an elementary
form of writing and much preferred his other novels. After he wrote the last line of The White
Company he cried, Well, Ill never beat that and threw his pen at the opposite wall.

Piece 5 The Case of the Peculiar Fan Mail


Sir Arthur Conan Doyle expected that at one point, he would receive letters of
admiration for his Sherlock novels, but he was completely unprepared for letters from crazy
fans confessing their problems and seeking the help of Sherlock Holmes; affectionately dubbed,
lunatic letters. These strange letters would come pouring in for Doyle, although most were
actually addressed to Sherlock Holmes. All the letters mentioned in the piece Doyle actually
received, and even today letters like these are sent to Sherlock Holmes at 221B Baker Street.

Piece 6 The Final Problem


Despite the fact that Sherlock Holmes was a huge hit, Doyle decided to kill him. He had
had enough of being recognized as the author of Sherlock Holmes novels and was ready to be
known for his other work. In the story, The Final Problem, Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty fall
down a waterfallin Swedenand supposedly die. Doyle actually intended for Sherlock
Holmes to end there. But after a major riot from Holmes fans, he wrote The Hound of the
Baskervilles, but still made it take place before Sherlocks death. His fans went wild, and Doyle
was forced to resurrect Holmes in The Adventure of the Empty House, informing the readers
that Sherlock had faked his death in order to shake Moriartys allies. Doyle wrote 31 more
Sherlock stories after that.

Bibliography
Costello, Peter. The Real World of Sherlock Holmes: The True Crimes Investigated
by Arthur Conan Doyle. 1st Edition. Great Britain: Carroll and Graf
Publishers, Inc., 1991. xi-35. Print.

The Official Website of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate. Dover
Publications Inc., 2000. Web. 28 Mar 2012.
<http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org/index.htm>.

"The Death of Sherlock Holmes." The Chronicles of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ~
Sherlock Holmes is Just the Beginning.... N.p., 2012. Web. 20 Mar 2012.
<http://www.siracd.com/index.shtml>

Oldman, David. "Sport." Arthur Conan Doyle the Prolific Writer. Westminster
Libraries Database, n.d. Web. 29 Mar 2012.
<http://www.westminsteronline.org/conandoyle/Sport.html>.

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