Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a British writer and physician best known for creating the legendary detective character Sherlock Holmes. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Conan Doyle studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where he began to write short stories. His medical career took him to sea and later into private practice, through which he gained diverse experiences that enriched his writing.
Conan Doyle's first significant success came with "A Study in Scarlet" (1887), where the world was introduced to Holmes and his companion Dr. John Watson. The Holmes stories quickly became immensely popular for their intricate plotting, attention to detail, and the unique deductive abilities of the consulting detective. Despite Conan Doyle's attempt to end Holmes's literary life at the Reichenbach Falls, public demand led to the character's return.
Beyond Sherlock Holmes, Conan Doyle's prolific output included historical novels, such as "The White Company," science fiction like "The Lost World," and non-fiction works including "The Great Boer War." His interests were wide-ranging, including staunch advocacy for the British Empire, involvement in spiritualism following the deaths of loved ones, and campaigning for justice in legal cases.
Conan Doyle was knighted in 1902 for his services to the Crown during the Boer War. His contributions to literature, particularly the detective genre, remain influential, and his creation of Sherlock Holmes has forever changed the way mysteries are written and perceived.
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