Arthur Conan Doyle

He was a writer and producer, known for Sherlock Holmes (2009), Sherlock (2010) and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984). He was married to Jean Leckie and Louisa Hawkins.

Biography/bibliography in: "Contemporary Authors". New Revision Series, Vol. 131, pages 104-123. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2005.

When Alan Arnold wrote the novelization for Young Sherlock Holmes (1985), he wrote, "Although there have been many so-called Sherlock Holmes 'pastiches', no-one can make the attempt without devoting study to Sir Arthur Conan's stories. In doing so one gains a respect for them and their creator which is quite profound. I cannot adequately describe their ability to suspend one's disbelief; it is a form of magic. They are myths which linger in the consciousness. They are for handing on to new generations who inevitably become, in turn, devotees. If this narrative is held to have integrity, it will encourage the process. That thought was in the minds of the men who made the film. Along with the actors, they all respected the creator of Sherlock Holmes. I drew on other sources. Although in my youth I lived in Cairo, I was not then sufficiently mature to appreciate its wonders or to learn much about its incomparable history. My feeling throughout has been one of the deepest respect for the writings of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, for the creator as much as for his creations. I share with the purists an admiration for Holmes's qualities. One that is sometimes overlooked is that he was a Victorian and Edwardian gentleman. 'We live in a utilitarian age', he once told Watson. 'Chivalry is a Mediaeval conception'. But, then, he was as much the great detective as he was the Mediaeval knight. That is how I think of him".

For many years a story circulated that he was a track-and-field official at the 1908 Summer Olympic Games in London and was one of the officials who helped drag Italian marathoner Dorando Pietri across the finish line, causing him to be disqualified from winning the Gold Medal in favor of American Johnny Hayes. That proved not to be true, but he did write a special report on the 1908 Olympic Marathon race.

Was created a Knight Bachelor in the 1902 King's Honours List, apparently for his services on the publication of the book, "The War in South Africa: The Cause and its Conduct.". In July of that year he had been appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey.

Was an accomplished sportsman who played cricket for the Marylebone Cricket Club in London, and also was a founder and first goal keeper for his local football team, Portsmouth F.C., while living in Portsmouth. He played as either goalkeeper or right-back between 1884-90, initially under the pseudonym A.C. Smith.

Arthur Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland as Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle.