Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) The British writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote different kinds of books, from
historical novels to adventure stories, but it was his detective stories about Sherlock
Holmes that brought him fame. Sherlock Holmes stories have been translated into more
than fifty languages and made into plays, films, radio and television series, a musical
comedy, a ballet, cartoons, comic books and advertisements.
Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh. Doyle's mother, Mary, was interested
in literature and encouraged her son to explore the world of books. She was a very good
story-teller. In his autobiography Conan Doyle wrote, "The stories that my mother told
me when I was a child stand out more powerfully than the real facts of my life.'
Doyle was educated at a boarding school and studied at Edinburgh University. Doyle
qualified as a doctor in 1885. After graduation Doyle practiced medicine as an eye
specialist until 1891, when he became a full-time writer.
Doyle's first novel about Holmes, 'A Study in Scarlet', was published in 1887. The
story was written in three weeks in 1886. It introduced the detective, Sherlock Holmes,
and Dr. Watson, the narrator. Holmes's abilities border on the fantastic: he is famous
for his logical reasoning, his ability to adopt almost any disguise and his skills to solve
difficult cases.
Watson has two roles in Holmes's life. First, he gives practical assistance in the
conduct of his cases; he is the detective's right-hand man. Second, he is Holmes's
chronicler. Most of the Holmes stories are written from Watson's point of view as
summaries of the detective's most interesting cases.
Already at the end of 1891 Doyle planned to stop writing about Holmes and end the
series. But the public demanded the return of Holmes. Doyle's readers expressed their
disappointment by wearing mourning bands, and the magazine which was publishing
the series lost 20,000 subscriptions. Doyle brought his popular character back to life in
"The Empty House' (1903). Holmes's character has inspired many later writers to
continue his adventures.
Write down the plan of the text. Then write out words and phrases which can be used
in a talk about someone's biography.
25 Prepare a talk about your favourite writer. Use the words and expressions from the text.
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