Conan Doyle Virtual TrailUse the clues to find out more about Arthur Conan Doyle, from his early life to his arrival in Southsea. Click on clue under each question to help you answer. Keep a note of these answers. Early LifeArthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born on 22 May,
sharing his birthday with many other famous people, but in which YEAR
was he born?: What was the address of the house in which
Arthur was born?: Using this information, find the location today
- does the original building still exist?: What type of building celebrates Conan Doyle in
that location today?: Arthur's father, Charles Altamont Doyle was an
artist - what kind of things did he paint?: Which famous piece of Scottish palace
architecture was Charles Doyle involved in designing?: Charles' father, Arthur's grandfather, John
Doyle was also an artist, but what kind of drawings was he famous for?: What was the name of Arthur's mother, the wife
of Charles Doyle?: One of Arthur's earliest memories was the death
of a close relative, but which one?: Arthur was closest to his sister Connie and
brother Innes - what were their full names?: Find out the name of Connie's famous author
husband and his most well-known fictional character: Which sport did Arthur, his brother-in-law and
his brother-in-law's famous character share an interest in?: When Arthur left school he went to the University of Edinburgh - which subject did he study there?: Clue 18 and Clue 19 Arthur's favourite tutor at Edinburgh was a
Joseph Bell - which famous Scots actor played Dr Bell in the BBC TV
mini-series Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes?: Arthur became Dr Bell's clerk in 1878 - which
Edinburgh wife-murderer stated that 'Joe Bell' had helped successfully
convict him?: Arthur graduated in 1881, and first worked with
his fellow student, George Budd - but where?: Arthur arrived in Portsmouth in 1882 - where
did he set up his first medical practice?: Arthur met his first wife, Louisa Hawkins in
Portsmouth - but how did they meet?: Arthur was fond of many sports - football being
one of them. However, doctors were thought too respectable to
play this 'working class' game, but Arthur used a pseudonym or false
name when he played for the team which would eventually be Portsmouth
Football Club - what was that name?: Which organisation, often thought of as a
secret society, did Arthur join in 1887 while still in Southsea?: Arthur was interested in mediums, seances and the spirit world from even before he lived in Southsea - what was the name of his friend and patient who introduced him to 'table turning'?: Clue 28 Arthur and Louisa had two children, a son,
Kingsley and a daughter, the eldest, and the only one of the family to
be born in Portsmouth; what was her name?: Having left Southsea to become an eye
specialist in London, Conan Doyle found his lack of patients was
actually conducive to writing more short stories, and using his popular
character Sherlock Holmes. What was the name of the first short
story featuring the great detective which was published in the Strand
Magazine in July 1891?: This trail can be added to - if you have links to share which trace Conan Doyle's life after he left Portsmouth, do let us know. |
