Home of Great Writing

Read all about it! Portsmouth is not only the home of the legendary Charles Dickens, but also the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Let Portsmouth inspire you to put pen to paper!

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The famous detective Sherlock Holmes was 'born' in Portsmouth.  His creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was living in the city when he published his first Sherlock Holmes book, 'A Study in Scarlet'. The City of Portsmouth was chosen by Richard Lancelyn Green as the home for his extraordinary collection of Conan Doyle-related books, papers and assorted Sherlock Holmes memorabilia.  You can visit the current exhibition 'A Study In Sherlock' at the City Museum for free.  For full details of this and more information about the collection visit Richard Lancelyn Green Conan Doyle Collection.

Others famous authors who have spent time in Portsmouth include Sir Walter Besant, Rudyard Kipling, George Meredith, Nevil Shute, H G Wells and current authors such as Betty Burton, Lisa Clark and Graham Hurley. You can find out more by joining one of the many guided walks or attending one of the talks led by the Portsmouth Tourism Guiding Service.  Literary subjects include Charles Dickens, Authors of Southsea, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Jane Austen, with a special free Dickens walk in 2012, every other Saturday until 18th August,  

This Literary Map of Portsmouth highlights the main connections in the city or download the Portsmouth Writers' App.

Portsmouth has a flourishing contemporary literary scene with many readers and writers groups. The city also hosts two festivals that feature literature heavily: Portsmouth Festivities in June and the Portsmouth BookFest in October.  Check our What's On search engine for details.