Scottish author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-­‐1930) Info: http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org/biography/index.htm and en.wikipedia.org Photo: http://www.nndb.com Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh, Scotland; he was one of 10 children. His father, a
chronic alcoholic, was the only member of the family with no talent or skill. His illness eventually led to
placement in an asylum. Some wealthy family members acknowledged Arthur’s genius and offered to pay
for his studies at a Jesuit boarding school. The prejudice and physical punishment there infuriated Doyle.
His loneliness was abated by writing to his mother, a habit that would continue until her death.
Doyle decided on medicine as a career, and found a mentor in one physician who was observant and logical
in his diagnostic abilities. These qualities would eventually find their way into Doyle’s writing. He created
the industrious and impartial character, Sherlock Holmes who concentrated on precise logic and ignored
irrelevant details. Doyle’s writing style was much like Edgar Allan Poe, whom Doyle considered his
favorite author.