Arthur Conan Doyle: Sherlock Holmes's Creator and His Spiritualist Paradox

Arthur Conan Doyle, the celebrated creator of Sherlock Holmes, led a life marked by intellectual curiosity and surprising contradictions. Though renowned for his rational detective, Doyle himself grappled with the immense fame of his creation and controversially dedicated his later years to spiritualism, often challenging scientific skepticism. His diverse talents extended far beyond detective fiction, encompassing medicine, sports, historical novels, and science fiction.

Early Life and the Genesis of Holmes

• Born Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle in Edinburgh, Scotland (1859), he studied medicine at Edinburgh University from 1876.
• His professor, Joseph Bell, who emphasized keen observation and deduction, became the direct inspiration for the character of Sherlock Holmes.
• Doyle pursued various medical practices, including as a ship's doctor and opening an ophthalmology clinic, before turning to writing full-time in 1887 for financial reasons.
• His first Sherlock Holmes novel, A Study in Scarlet (1887), was conceived as a logical detective story, departing from the prevalent illogical narratives of the time.

The Double-Edged Sword of Holmes's Fame

• Sherlock Holmes, a brilliant private detective with John H. Watson as his companion, quickly gained immense popularity, leading to "Holmes-mania" globally.
• Despite the success, Doyle grew weary of writing Holmes stories, feeling they hindered his ability to pursue other literary works.
• He attempted to kill off Holmes in The Final Problem (1893), leading to widespread public outcry, protests, and a significant drop in The Strand Magazine's circulation.
• Under immense public and financial pressure, Doyle eventually revived Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1901) and officially brought him back in The Empty House (1903), acknowledging the character's public ownership.

A Man of Many Talents: Beyond the Detective

• Doyle was an avid sportsman, participating in football (goalkeeper for Portsmouth FC), cricket (captain), golf, shooting, and amateur boxing.
• He considered his historical novels, such as The White Company and Sir Nigel, his true literary masterpieces, written between 1888 and 1906.
• His other works include science fiction and adventure novels like The Lost World (inspired Jurassic Park) and The Maracot Deep, showcasing a breadth of imagination comparable to Jules Verne.
• Despite his diverse and acclaimed output, Doyle found himself perpetually defined by his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes, a definition he resented.

The Controversial Spiritualist

• Around 1887, Doyle developed a deep interest in spiritualism, believing in the possibility of communication with the deceased, a belief he publicly embraced before his son's death in WWI.
• He famously authenticated the "Cottingley Fairies" photos (1917), publishing them in 1920 and asserting their authenticity, despite clear signs of fakery (later admitted by the girls in 1983).
• Doyle's friendship with illusionist Harry Houdini ended acrimoniously; Doyle insisted Houdini possessed genuine psychic powers, while Houdini sought to expose spiritualist frauds, leading to public disputes.
• In his later years, Doyle devoted significant energy to spiritualist research and writings, applying a seemingly Holmesian rigor to argue for the existence of souls, a stance that drew considerable public controversy.