Arthur Conan Doyle

Clear, bold signature likely cut from the end page of a book.

SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE (1859-1930) was a British author most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger. He was a prolific writer whose other works include science fiction stories, historical novels, plays and romances, poetry, and non-fiction.

Doyle’s first historical novel was published in 1889. He was living in London in 1890 and practicing as an occultist. By 1891, he had become a full time writer. In 1892, the first collection of Sherlock Holmes stories was published. A total of five collections of Holmes stories have been published.

Charles Altamont Doyle, Arthur’s father, died in 1893 in the nursing home he had been committed to in 1879. In the same year as his father’s death, Doyle decided to kill off Sherlock Holmes. Doyle was tired of writing short stories. He wanted to be remembered for his historical novels rather than his detective. So, in 1894, Arthur Conan Doyle officially killed off Sherlock Holmes, one of the greatest literary detectives ever to live.

During the South African War, from 1899-1902, Doyle served as senior physician at a field hospital for a short time. In 1900, he ran unsuccessfully for Parliament for the first time. He was knighted in 1902, making him Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In 1903, at the request of his government and by public demand, Sherlock Holmes was resurrected for a story involving a secret mission for the government during a time of war.

Doyle’s last Sherlock Holmes story was published in 1917. By 1920, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was one of the highest paid writers in the world. After the death of his son in World War One, Doyle immersed himself in spiritual studies. Spiritualism became his religion. In 1921, Arthur’s mother, Mary Foley Doyle, passed away. Eight years later, Doyle suffered from a heart attack. On July 7, 1930, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died from heart disease at his home in Windlesham, Sussex, England. He was originally buried in the garden of his home, but was later moved to the village churchyard at Minstead.

All Vintage Memorabilia autographs are unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine. This guarantee applies to refund of the purchase price, and is without time limit to the original purchaser. A written and signed Guarantee to that effect accompanies each item we sell.