Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle originally worked as an optometrist; when this proved to be a failure, he began writing the Sherlock Holmes stories. He wrote four novels and fifty-six short stories concerning Holmes (many more were written by other authors who came after him). Doyle wasn't content to simply write about crime -- he also investigated two closed cases and was integral in changes to the British legal system.

Biography from the ArcaMax Book Club





Who's everyone's favorite Sherlock Holmes? I saw Rupert Everett as Holmes in a recent Masterpiece Theatre production. He was interesting, but not what people might be used to.