Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

Writer

Arthur Conan Doyle graduated in medicine from the University of Edinburgh. He  combined medical practice and research with a new career in writing. His most famous creation, the fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, a character that he later grew to hate, was based on the university's Dr Joseph Bell. His other novels include 'The Lost World'.

Birth in 1859

Arthur Conan Doyle was born on 22 May 1859, the son of Charles Altimont Doyle, second clerk at the Office of HM Works and Mary Foley. The entry in the statutory register of births for the district of St Andrew, Edinburgh, gives the place of birth as 11 Picardy Place.

Birth entry for Arthur Conan Doyle (41 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1859/685/367

1861 and 1881 Censuses

In 1861 Arthur Conan Doyle, aged 1, is with his family at 11 Picardy Place in the district of St Andrew in Edinburgh. The household includes his maternal grandmother and aunt as well as a servant.

1861 Census record for Arthur Conan Doyle (30 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1861/685-2/90, page 11

In 1881 Arthur C Doyle, 21, student of medicine was living at 15 Lonsdale Terrace in the district of St Giles, Edinburgh with his mother, sisters, brother and their domestic servant.

1881 Census record for Arthur Conan Doyle (28 KB jpeg)
National Records of Scotland, 1881/685-4/89, page 19