Description

On the Trail of Arthur Conan Doyle – Illustrated Journey to Devon

Arthur Conan Doyle led a particularly rich and exciting life, the kind of life you would expect a true eccentric to lead, which he was not. He was, however, resourceful, courageous, intelligent, dedicated and open-minded. Many biographies have been written and you might think that every aspect of his life has been covered. However, it seems that new information is constantly being discovered, as this book proves. The name Arthur Conan Doyle has long been overshadowed by one of his most famous creations, Sherlock Holmes. When you think of Dartmoor, probably nine out of ten people think of Sherlock Holmes’ greatest adventure, The Hound of the Baskervilles , but generally speaking, Conan Doyle’s connections with Dartmoor and the county of Devon go far beyond this work. The first practice he worked in after qualifying as a doctor was in Plymouth. It was certainly a short-term engagement, but Dr Conan Doyle returned to the county on many occasions. An active man, he always made these visits for a purpose that went beyond mere rest, as you will see. The lives of two other men were inextricably linked to Conan Doyle’s experiences in Devon. George Turnavine Budd, who made him a partner in the Plymouth practice, and Bertram Fletcher Robinson, who played a vital role in the conception and drafting of The Hound of the Baskervilles . This book examines these contributions in depth. There are already guides for romantics wishing to follow the trail of Sherlock Holmes. I am delighted to welcome this book, which focuses more on the detective’s creator, and is written jointly by a scientist and a Conan Doyle scholar.

Roger Johnson,