The Arthur Conan Doyle Collection Richard Lancelyn Green Bequest

Conan Doyle

Richard Lancelyn Green died in March 2004 and left his collection to the City of Portsmouth. Richard was a leading expert on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes and he collected passionately from an early age, over a period of forty years.

The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Richard Lancelyn Green Collection is one of the most wide-ranging in the world. It includes first editions of books, related letters, film and television memorabilia, as well as Richard’s recreation of Sherlock Holmes’ Baker Street study. Richard collected items with some connection, however obscure, with Sherlock Holmes. From matchboxes with Sherlock Holmes on them, to adverts in magazines and even copies of the Radio Times with listings of related programmes.

Richard decided to leave his collection to the City of Portsmouth after being helped by staff at the city’s Central Library when researching Conan Doyle. He is described as a generous man and he insisted that his collection should be available for everyone to enjoy.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle came to Portsmouth in 1882 with little more than £10. He threw himself into life in the town, joining the Portsmouth Literary and Scientific Society and playing for local sports teams. He was the first goalkeeper of what became Portsmouth Football Club. By the time he left in 1890 he was established as a doctor and had begun his writing career.

Conan Doyle set up as a doctor at 1 Bush Villas, Elm Grove Southsea. His business grew gradually until he was earning a comfortable living.

In 1886 he married the sister of one of his patients, Louisa Hawkins. He also began a second career, writing fiction.  His first Sherlock Holmes tale, A Study in Scarlet, was published in 1887 and The Sign of Four followed in 1890.

The Conan Doyles left Portsmouth in 1890. But their relationship with the town did not end there. Conan Doyle donated money to help set up both the football club and the spiritualist church. He bought a property and returned on a number of occasions.