Dinosaurs, Fairies and Conan Doyle

Best known as the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle also wrote science fiction and had a surprising belief in fairies at the bottom of the garden.

In 1912 Doyle wrote a science fiction novel The Lost World about a remote part of South America where dinosaurs still lived. The story is an account of an expedition there by Professor Challenger (a huge and bearded, unruly figure) and three companions who are pursued by a cluster of flying pterodactyls and flesh-eating dinosaurs. The film 'Jurassic World' had a similar plot.

Doyle grew up in a family who were fascinated by fairy lore. In 1917 he heard about two young girls, Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths, who claimed to have taken photographs of fairies in their garden. He wrote about the girls and included their fairy photographs in his 1922 book The Coming of the Fairies. This was met with a very mixed response by the public who were used to the logical, observational and deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes.

Doyle led a very full and interesting life. Trained as a medical doctor, he then achieved both fame and fortune with Sherlock Holmes. Always active, he pursued many different sports from football to skiing and travelled the world exploring new places and meeting other famous people.

People from The Beneficial Foundation and Solent MIND in Portsmouth have worked with the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection to produce this exhibition showing Doyle's diverse interests and life.

The original Cottingley fairies

Cotemporary photos taken by the Beneficial Foundation inspired by the Cottingley Fairies

More Exhibitions to explore

• Arthur and George - Conan Doyle's Fight for Justice for George Edalji

• A Study for Sherlock - reproducing Sherlock Holmes' study at 221b Baker Street

• Conan Doyle - A Good Sport - Conan Doyle's wide ranging sporting interests

• Conan Doyle - The Pompey Lad - Conan Doyle's time in Portsmouth

• Conan Doyle on Holiday - due to his success as a writer, Conan Doyle had the opportunity to travel widely. He often took his family. This exhibition explores the places they visited.

• Gripping Yarns - story writing in the style of Sherlock Holmes

• The Lost World - Conan Doyle's science fiction novel

• Playing Sherlock - improvised plays based upon Sherlock Holmes

• Sherlock Holmes Fandom - Sherlock Holmes has fans from around the world

• Stitching a Story - stitching a quilt based upon The Adventure of the Copper Beeches

• The Cottingley Fairies - Conan Doyle's interest in fairies inspired Bunny Warren Nursery to create their own fairies

• To Catch a Thief - masks and disguises inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s story Charles Augustus Milverton

• You Don't Know Sherlock Holmes Yet -  a wide ranging exhibition featuring items and documents from the Collection. This exhibition covers Conan Doyle's life and works, including his arrival in Portsmouth, his books, his fights for justice and the phenomena that is Sherlock Holmes.

To see more images and find out more about The Conan Doyle Collection, please email: sherlock.holmes@portsmouthcc.gov.uk