Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker

 

Dracula

“There is a reason why all things are as they are” – quote used by Dracula, in Bram Stoker’s novel of the same title.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Sherlock Holmes

“My name is Sherlock Holmes.  It is my business to know what other people do not know” – quote used by Sherlock Holmes, in Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel ‘The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle’.

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Irving 

Swansea 1903, Henry Irvine and His Lyceum Company performed at the Swansea Grand Theatre from 19th – 25th February. His performance included “A Story of Waterloo”, “The Bells”, “Louis XI”, and “The Merchant of Venice”

“A Story of Waterloo” – a play written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted from his own short story “A Straggler of ‘15”, was published in 1907.

“The Bells” – a play of three acts written by Leopold David Lewis, 1867. 

“Louis XI” –

“The Merchant of Venice” – a play written by William Shakespeare, 1596. 

In each of the plays, Henry Irving played the main character.

It is during his tour of 1903 that Bram Stoker was present, as the personal assistant of Sir Henry.  This tour was one of Sir Henry's last, dying in 1905.

Bram Stoker

Irish author Bram Stoker, born in 1847, is best remembered for his notable works, including Dracula, first published in 1897.

Dracula follows the main character Count Dracula as he attempts to move from Transylvania to England, where he might find new blood, and the battle between him and a small group of people led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing.

Bram may have had inspiration from his friend Sir Henry on how to describe the description of Count Dracula.

By 1903, Bram, then aged 55, had joined Sir Henry and his company at Swansea.  Less than a decade later, in 1912, Bram, had died aged 64 in London.

 

 

After the First World War had been fought, and thousands upon thousands had been killed, on both sides.  The grieving was to start to mourn the lives of those lost.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

It is during this period that the spiritualist, one of those who was well established and was outspoken, was Scottish-born Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  His son, Captain Arthur Alleyne Conan Doyle, was injured during the Battle of Somme, 1916, and lost his life in October 1918. 

Sir Arthur himself died 1930, aged 70. 

Arthur Alleyne Conan Doyle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 During 1919, Sir Arthur toured around the country, where he gave lectures. 

 

Undershaw
Hindhead

 

Undershaw, Sir Arthur's house located at Hindhead, where he entertained guests.  One of whom included Bram Stoker.