About

He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 when he published A Study in Scarlet, the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Holmes and Dr. Watson over the next forty years. The Sherlock Holmes stories are generally considered milestones in the genre of crime fiction. Doyle was a prolific author, writing across many genres, including historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and non-fiction. He wrote plays, poetry, and several other detective stories, the most notable being The Lost World. His work extended beyond fiction, as he also wrote on various political and social issues, advocating for causes like the Boer War and spiritualism. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Doyle studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and worked as a doctor before turning to writing full time. He achieved great success during his lifetime and was knighted for his contributions to literature. However, Doyle grew increasingly tired of Sherlock Holmes and attempted to kill off the character in 1893, only to bring him back due to popular demand. Doyle's personal life was marked by numerous tragedies, including the deaths of his first wife and eldest son. In later years, he became interested in spiritualism and eventually embraced it. He died in 1930 at the age of 71. Arthur Conan Doyle's legacy continues to live on through his iconic creation, Sherlock Holmes, who remains one of the most famous fictional detectives to this day. Doyle's works continue to be popular and influential, with adaptations and reinterpretations of his stories done in various forms of media.