Names on the buses
675 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
407 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
427 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
778 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Connections with Brighton and Hove : 1859 - 1930
Best known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle remains one of the best-known authors in the world more than a century later. Sherlock Holmes became one of the world's most beloved characters. His demeanour, methods and style had a profound effect on crime fiction, criminal profiling and forensic science. Arthur became a doctor before turning his talents to writing. In 1907, he married Jean Leckie after the death of his first wife and moved to Windlesham Manor in Crowborough. Here he spent the last 23 years of his life. Many of his stories were written in this house, inspired by the views of the South Downs from his first-floor study window. Along the breadth of the house, they built the billiard-room where they hosted dances and played games. In addition to the Holmes stories, Arthur also wrote poems, historic novels, war stories, science fiction and fantasy stories. He excelled at many sports and became captain of the local golf club. He even pioneered inventions such as the naval life jacket. Arthur also formed a Civilian National Reserve, a local home guard, at the outbreak of the First World War. Arthur had a long-standing interest in spiritualism and the paranormal. With several friends he conducted experiments and seances. He died of a heart attack at his home in Crowborough. Although Arthur was initially buried in the garden at Windlesham Manor, he was later moved to Hampshire. There is a statue to him in Cloke's Corner in the centre of Crowborough.
