author portrait
© Adobe Stock Images

Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh in 1859. In medical school he studied with Dr. Joseph Bell, who encouraged students to use their innate powers of observation. With Bell as his admitted inspiration, Doyle published his first Sherlock Holmes story, "A Study in Scarlet," in 1887, to phenomenal success. He subsequently published many other types of writing, and served as a doctor in the Boer War. Bored with the Holmes stories, he killed off the character in 1893, but after a public outcry, brought him back. After the death of his son in World War I, Doyle wrote increasingly about spiritualism, until his own death in 1930.

Videos from the 2024 First-Year Experience® Conference are now available

We’re pleased to share videos from the 2024 First-Year Experience® Conference. Whether you weren’t able to join us at the conference or would simply like to hear the talks again, please take a moment to view the clips below.   Penguin Random House Author Breakfast Monday, February 19th, 7:15 – 8:45 am PST This event

Read more