-
Birth
Born Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, May 22, 1859 in Edinburgh, Scotland. -
Period: to
Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
-
Period: to
Primary Education
When Doyle was 9 some wealthier members of his family paid for him to attend Jesuit schools in England. He first spent two years at Hodder Place, Stonyhurst* (1868-1870). Then five years at Stonyhurst College (1870-1875). He was incredibly unhappy there. He was often bullied and the school had brutal corporal punishment policies. Doyle did find some happiness in telling stories to the younger students. From 1875 to 1876 Doyle attended Stella Matutina, another Jesuit school, in Feldkirch, Austria -
Period: to
University of Edinburgh
Doyle attended Med School at the University of Edinburgh. There he studied under Dr. Joesph Bell, whose observation skills became the inspiration behind Sherlock Holmes. While at University of Edinburgh, Doyle began to write his first stories. At University he became very interested in Spiritualism. -
First Published Piece
"The Mystery of Sasassa Valley" was Doyle's first published piece. It was published September 6th, 1879, in Chamber's Edinburgh Journal. -
"The American Tale"
Doyle's second story, "The American Tale," was published in "London Society." -
Whaling in the Arctic
During his third year at med school, Doyle was employed on the "Hope of Peterhead," a whaling ship from Greenland sailing to the Arctic Circle, as a doctor. This adventure inspired his story "Captain of the Pole Star." -
Sailing in Africa
In 1881 Doyle took his first paid position as a doctor aboard the Mayumba, a steamship sailing from Liverpool to Africa. -
Bachelor of Medicine
Doyle received his Bachelor of Medicine in 1881. By then he had completely renounced his Roman Catholic faith. -
Medical Practice
In 1882, Doyle and a classmate set up a medical practice in Plymouth. However their relationship fell apart and Doyle began an independent practice in Portsmouth. -
Period: to
Private Practice
From 1882 to 1891 Doyle ran a private practice in Portsmouth. He gave up his private practice in favor of writing. -
Period: to
Marriage to Louisa Hawkins
In 1885, Doyle married Louisa (or Louise) "Toulie" Hawkins they had two children, a boy and a girl. -
"A Study in Scarlet"
The first Sherlock Holmes story, "A Study in Scarlet", is published in Beeton's Christmas Annual. Doyle started writing the story in 1886 under the title "A Tangled Skein". -
Period: to
Sherlock Holmes
Doyle's claim to fame is his series of stories about Sherlock Holmes. Doyle wrote sixty stories about the consulting detective. -
Mary Louise
Doyle's first child is born, her name is Mary Louise. -
"Micah Clarke"
Micah Clarke is published. -
"The Sign of Four"
The Sign of Four is published. -
"The White Company"
-
Arthur Allyne Kingsley
Arthur Allyne Kingsley is born. -
"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"
-
Sickness
In 1893, Doyle's wife was diagnosed with Tuberculosis. -
"The Adventure of the Final Problem"
-
"The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes"
-
Jean Leckie
Doyle meets Jean Leckie. -
"A Duet with an Occasional Chorus"
-
Boer War
Doyle serves in the Boer War. -
"The Hound of the Baskervilles"
"The Hound of the Baskervilles" is published in The Strand magazine. "The Hound of the Baskervilles" marked the return of Sherlock Holmes, although the story is set before "The Adventure of the Final Problem". -
Period: to
Return of Sherlock Holmes
Doyle killed of Holmes in "The Final Problem", which was published 1893, in order to focus on his historical novels. However due to pressure from fans, in 1901 he brought back Holmes in "The Hound of the Baskervilles". -
"The War in South Africa"
“The War in South Africa: Its Causes and Conduct” is published. This piece led to his being knighted by King Edward VII. -
"The Return of Sherlock Holmes"
-
"Sir Nigel"
-
George Edalji
Doyle begins his investigation into the George Edalji case. -
Louisa's Death
-
Period: to
Marriage to Jean Elizabeth Leckie
Doyle met Jean Leckie in 1897, they quickly fell in love. However they maintained a platonic relationship until after his first wife died. They married a year later. They had three kids together two boys and a girl. -
Denis Percy Stewart
Denis Percy Stewart is born. -
"The Crime of the Congo"
-
Oscar Slater
Doyle becomes involved in the Oscar Slater case. -
Adrian Malcom
Adrian Malcom is born. -
Prince Henry Tour
Doyle and his wife, Jean, particpate in the Prince Henry Tour. -
"The Lost World"
-
Lena Jean Annette
Lena Jean Annette is born. -
"The Poison Belt"
-
"The Valley of Fear"
"The Valley of Fear" is published as a book. -
Declares Beliefs
Doyle publishes his beliefs in Spiritualism in the Light magazine. His declaration of his beliefs severely damaged his reputation. -
"His Last Bow"
-
Kingsley's Death
Doyle's son, Kingsley, and his brother, Innes, pass away. -
Cottingley Fairies
Doyle wrote about his belief in the authenticity of the Cottingley fairies in The Strand magazine. -
Jean the Automatic Writer
Jean Conan Doyle "discovers" she has the ability to do automatic writing. Automatic writing is when a writer claims that writing is from the subconscious, and/or an external or spiritual source. -
"The Coming of Fairies"
-
Jean "does" Automatic Writing
Jean Conan Doyle "attempts" to contact Houdini's mother. However the writing is in English, a language his mother never spoke, and makes no mention of the fact it was his mother's birthday. These discrepancies damaged Doyle and Houdini's friendship. -
"The Land of Mist"
-
First Movie
"The Lost World" is made into a movie. This is first of many adaptations of Doyle's works. -
"History of Spiritualism"
-
"The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes"
-
Tour of South Africa
Doyle goes one five-month long tour of South Africa. -
Death
Doyle died on July 7th, 1930 of a heart attack. He is buried in the rose garden in Windlesham.