Happy Birthday Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – A Tribute To The Prolific Genius Who Inspired Generations…
Today is a very special day for millions of people around the world, including myself. It is the day a man we owe so very much to was born, Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle. Doyle was born on May 22nd, 1859 at 11 Picardy Place in Edinburgh, Scotland to mother Mary Foley and father Charles Altamont Doyle. His early life was not exactly the picture of perfection, his father caused the family great tribulation due to raging alcoholism and psychiatric illness.
Yet despite the problems caused by his father, Doyle went on to become a doctor after studying medicine at the University Of Edinburgh. However he didn’t stop there, he also became one of the most prolific writers in history. When I say prolific, I mean just that; Aside from the four novels and fifty six short stories Doyle wrote about Sherlock Holmes, it is estimated that he wrote an additional twenty four novels, one hundred and thirty three short stories, thirteen plays (two co-written), EIGHTY one poems and twelve pamphlets. Now that, is one productive human being.
While Doyle very much wanted to be known for his other works and interests aside from Sherlock Holmes, we all know this is far from what happened. Doyle IS, and will always be, the man who created Sherlock Holmes. This is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, Holmes is the most adapted literary character in history as well as the most prolific screen character in the history of cinema. Yes, even more that Jesus. (far, far more to be perfectly honest)
It doesn’t stop there, since day one people have believed Doyle’s beloved consulting detective to be a real person and to THIS day Sherlock Holmes still receives mail in his name at his famous address, 221b Baker Street. Choosing to write the Holmes stories from the vantage point of his friend, Dr. John Watson, is one small example of Conan Doyle’s true genius as a writer and is one of the leading factors in Holmes seeming so very real. He literally created a fictional character so well, that for over one hundred years people have insisted on his existence. Not even the crème de la crème of writers can attest to their characters literally coming to life like this.
The Many Faces Of Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes changed my life as a young child and continues to change the lives of millions, generation after generation. For some the change is small yet for many others including myself the change is monumental and life transforming. For those of you who know what i’m talking about you’ll know that Holmes changes the way you think, the way you view the world as well as the way you face every situation..
Over these 126 years since the Sherlock Holmes stories first appeared, he has become an international phenomenon. The stories have been translated into 84 languages, with over 5 million books published annually, and have been the model and inspiration for countless plays, movies, television series, books, and fanfiction stories not to mention having been deemed the third most read book(s) after the Bible and the Dictionary.
From the classic portrayals by Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett, to the recent Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch adaptations, Sherlock is captivating more and more people daily of every age, sex and nationality. I can only hope that amidst this gigantic resurgence people are led back to the original Conan Doyle stories known as the “The Canon” of Sherlock Holmes. In this we find the staggering, unparalleled genius of the man who started it all, the prolific genius who deserves celebration today, and every day, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Conan Doyle spent the latter part of his life devoted to the study of Spiritualism, a practice in which he held strong faith. While I personally do not share his beliefs on the subject, I will say this:
If you are listening…
Happy Birthday Doyle, Happy Birthday.
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Special Treat: Believed to be the only filmed interview with Conan Doyle - 1930
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Joe’s book (raising funds for Save Undershaw) ‘The Real Sherlock Holmes‘ is available all good bookstores including Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and in all formats including Amazon Kindle and now on the iPad too. Fans outside the US and UK can get free delivery from Book Depository.
