{"id":13937,"date":"2023-09-27T15:01:50","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T14:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/?p=13937"},"modified":"2025-03-24T14:41:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T14:41:13","slug":"arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time","title":{"rendered":"Arthur Conan Doyle \u2013 the Story of Sherlock Holmes\u2019 Creator and the Highest-Paid Writer of His Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Almost every schoolchild knows Arthur Conan Doyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/uk\">Iedinburgh<\/a> tells you more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This British writer became truly famous thanks to the characters in his Sherlock Holmes stories. However, Conan Doyle\u2019s own life was no less fascinating than the adventures of his legendary detective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a04a673864ec\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a04a673864ec\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time\/#Early_Years\" >Early Years<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time\/#School_Years\" >School Years<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time\/#Returning_Home\" >Returning Home<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time\/#First_Literary_Steps\" >First Literary Steps<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time\/#Settling_on_a_Profession\" >Settling on a Profession<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time\/#Growth_as_a_Writer\" >Growth as a Writer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time\/#A_New_Period\" >A New Period<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/eternal-arthur-conan-doyle-the-story-of-sherlock-holmes-creator-and-the-highest-paid-writer-of-his-time\/#The_Character_That_Defined_His_Fate\" >The Character That Defined His Fate<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_Years\"><\/span><strong>Early Years<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Doyle was born in Edinburgh on May 22, 1859.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The family of the future writer faced significant financial hardships, mainly caused by his father&#8217;s alcoholism and severe psychological issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"School_Years\"><\/span><strong>School Years<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Arthur&#8217;s schooling began at the preparatory institution of Hodder Place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When he turned nine, wealthy relatives offered to finance his education at the prestigious Jesuit boarding school, Stonyhurst College. It was there that the young future author developed a deep distaste for religious dogma and class prejudice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Returning_Home\"><\/span><strong>Returning Home<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After finishing college, Doyle returned home and decided to pursue a career in medicine. Having already begun his medical practice, he enrolled in and graduated from the University of Edinburgh\u2019s medical faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subsequently, he joined a private clinic and dedicated himself to studying psychology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_Literary_Steps\"><\/span><strong>First Literary Steps<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Doyle&#8217;s literary career began during his third year at university. His debut short story was titled <em>The Mystery of Sasassa Valley<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In February 1880, he became the ship&#8217;s doctor aboard the whaling ship &#8220;Hope.&#8221; He spent seven months working there amidst the harsh conditions of Arctic waters. Later, the experiences from these travels inspired him to write <em>The Captain of the Pole-Star<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Settling_on_a_Profession\"><\/span><strong>Settling on a Profession<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1881, after receiving his Bachelor of Medicine degree, Doyle began practising medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, he soon realized that literature was his true calling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, in January 1884, the magazine <em>Cornhill<\/em> published his story <em>J. Habakuk Jephson&#8217;s Statement<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also in 1884, Arthur started writing a novel blending social themes with a criminal-detective storyline titled <em>The Firm of Girdlestone<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Growth_as_a_Writer\"><\/span><strong>Growth as a Writer<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>March 1886 marked the beginning of Doyle\u2019s famous novel <em>A Study in Scarlet<\/em>, initially called <em>A Tangled Skein<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then, in 1889, he released his third significant work, <em>The Mystery of Cloomber<\/em>. The novel described the fate awaiting three vengeful Buddhist monks after death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_New_Period\"><\/span><strong>A New Period<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Following this, Doyle&#8217;s work entered a historical phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He published novels such as <em>Micah Clarke<\/em>, <em>The White Company<\/em>, and <em>The Refugees<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Character_That_Defined_His_Fate\"><\/span><strong>The Character That Defined His Fate<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.iedinburgh.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/03\/17200624\/ad_4nxctaeanxhcc_aljaglurcemonlxazljzk10ofmupubm03cuogz0l45wgdq04mh6mxfjw9kxwjapxyz9nbehxztpag3frkmq_thooft5e8_-dr5dij6nay_8b-pkayk3tuhdyvaxeqkeyvzbds0iqcjonvvdpzwnrhyro.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Sherlock Holmes stories undoubtedly hold the most significant place in Arthur Conan Doyle\u2019s literary legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first Sherlock Holmes short story, <em>A Scandal in Bohemia<\/em>, appeared in 1891. Within just two years, Doyle produced numerous short stories featuring Holmes, to the point that he began feeling burdened by his own creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, every attempt to &#8220;get rid of&#8221; Sherlock Holmes ended in failure. The public loved the detective too much, compelling the author to repeatedly bring Holmes back to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In total, Conan Doyle wrote <strong>four novels<\/strong> and <strong>five collections of short stories<\/strong> about Sherlock Holmes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, by the time <em>The Hound of the Baskervilles<\/em> was published in 1900, Conan Doyle had become <strong>the highest-paid writer in the world<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/bulletin.facs.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bulletin.facs.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Almost every schoolchild knows Arthur Conan Doyle. Iedinburgh tells you more. This British writer became truly famous thanks to the characters in his Sherlock Holmes stories. However, Conan Doyle\u2019s own life was no less fascinating than the adventures of his legendary detective. Early Years Doyle was born in Edinburgh on May 22, 1859. The family [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":526,"featured_media":13943,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4818],"tags":[5515,5512,5505,5526,5514,5524,5525],"motype":[4825],"moformat":[88],"moimportance":[32,35],"class_list":{"0":"post-13937","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cultural","8":"tag-collection","9":"tag-literature","10":"tag-novel","11":"tag-pages","12":"tag-readers","13":"tag-stories","14":"tag-topic","15":"motype-eternal","16":"moformat-copywriting","17":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","18":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/526"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13937"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13941,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13937\/revisions\/13941"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13943"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13937"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=13937"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=13937"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iedinburgh.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=13937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}