Arthur Conan Doyle
His tombstone reads: “STEEL TRUE. BLADE STRAIGHT. KNIGHT, PATRIOT, PHYSICIAN & MAN OF LETTERS.”
Although he is best known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle was also a physician. From 1876 to 1881, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, including a period working in the town of Aston (now a district of Birmingham) and in Sheffield. While studying, he also began writing short stories; his first published story appeared in Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal before he was 20. Following his term at university, he served as a ship’s doctor on a voyage to the West African coast. He completed his doctorate on the subject of tabes dorsalis in 1885.
In 1882, Conan Doyle joined former classmate George Budd as his partner at a medical practice in Plymouth, but their relationship proved difficult, and Conan Doyle soon left to set up an independent practice. Arriving in Portsmouth in June of that year with less than £10 to his name, he set up a medical practice at 1 Bush Villas in Elm Grove, Southsea. The practice was initially not very successful; while waiting for patients, he again began writing stories. His first significant work was A Study in Scarlet, which appeared in Beeton’s Christmas Annual for 1887 and featured the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes, who was partially modelled after his former university professor Joseph Bell.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Thank you for revealing to me that Arthur Conan Doyle was one of the earliest physicians in transition.You have given me a new hero to follow.
I am a physician who is currently transitioning to a writing career and I am currently writing a book about physicians in transition to non-clinical careers. Let me share an inspiring incident that occured to me when I was touring Scotland in 2006.
WRITERS’ MUSEUM TREASURE
After fortifying ourselves with a “Full Scottish Breakfast,” we departed our cozy guesthouse and set our boots upon Edinburgh’s cobblestone byways. As we tramped through the enchantment of Old Town, my heart beat full with hope of discovery at the Writers’ Museum.
Finding this hidden Scottish Treasure was no easy task. Directions given in “Full Scottish Brogue” from a friendly Edinburgh gentleman eventually brought us to a quaint but tidy gingerbread-like stone edifice. A small red door bid us come in. Once through the doorway, small friendly signs pointed the way to Burns, Scott, Stevenson and others. Enticed by a small tunnel-like hall, we sped into the Robert Louis Stevenson (RLS) room; where a pleasant museum guide named Elizabeth greeted us.
As my eyes scanned the room, I flinched at the sight of two hulking Samoan Rugby players carefully studying each picture and artifact. They were touring Great Britain for the fall international rugby matches. We ourselves had come to follow the USA rugby team. Ah, the brotherhood of rugby! But why had Mark and Phillip come to Stevenson’s room? We learned that RLS lived his latter years in Samoa and was buried there. The lads’ museum visit was prompted by admiration for the man as well as homesickness for their own treasured islands.
As Elizabeth further enriched us about his writing, I revealed my hope of beginning a new writing career. Elizabeth joyfully retorted with news of publishing her second book in ten years. Boldly, she encouraged me to be passionate about my writing. She wished me success as a writer.
After exchanging addresses, we bid farewell and scampered out the door into “Full Scottish Weather.” I walked away with a joyful tear in my eye and my spirit enriched with the treasured discovery of adventure, new friendship, and inspiration.