Born 150 years ago today, he was the creator of perhaps the world's best-known detective, Sherlock Holmes. Arthur Conan Doyle grew up in Scotland, earned his medical degree, and while trying to build his practice, dabbled in writing. The result was the unmistakable figure with the deerstalker hat and calabash pipe, the subject of four novels and 54 short stories, the epitome of cool logic and keen observation.

Later re-created on stage and screen, Sherlock Holmes remains Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's lasting legacy, but he also wrote science fiction, plays, romance novels, even poetry. He died at age 71 in East Sussex, England, having led a life nearly as adventurous and fascinating as that of his famous protagonist.

Today, we have the Sherlock Holmes canon of mysteries plus over one hundred years of research, analysis, and insight. Several recent biographies of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle can be found in the Life & Times subject area ( or "glade") on the 2nd floor, and in-depth examinations of his most famous detective are in the Arts & Literature glade, just a few footsteps away. Join us in celebrating a century and a half of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his writings -- it's elementary!

Picture from Flickr user bcostin.