Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: He wrote in his Garden Shed and is Buried in his Garden

"His family found him lying on the ground, one hand clutching his heart and the other holding a white snowdrop."

May 22, 1859

On this day, the British writer and doctor Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born.

 

In researching Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's life, I learned that Arthur was bedridden the spring before he died. 

 

Despite his illness, one morning, unattended, Arthur got up and managed to go out to the garden.

His family found him lying on the ground, one hand clutching his heart and the other holding a white snowdrop.

 

Arthur languished until July 7, 1930, when he passed away with his family at his bedside.

Arthur's last words were to his wife.

Arthur whispered,

"You are wonderful."

 

Newspaper accounts shared that Arthur was buried in the garden where he had been so much at home on a beautiful summer day - next to his garden hut, which was made into a writing room.

Over 200 people attended the funeral.

 

So many wreaths were sent from all over the world that they were spread over the large paddock west of the home, covering an acre of land with blooms.

 

When Arthur's coffin had been placed in the grave,

"Lady Doyle kissed a rose and threw it in."

 

Lady Jean Conan Doyle lived at Windlesham until her death on June 27, 1940.

She was buried next to Sir Arthur.


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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writing shed and grave by Edward George Handel Lucas
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writing shed and grave by Edward George Handel Lucas
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the Garden with his dog
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the Garden with his dog
Doyle portrait by H.L. Gates 1927
Doyle portrait by H.L. Gates 1927
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Colorized Dapper
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Colorized Dapper
Arthur Conan Doyle - Colorized Portrait BEF 1904
Arthur Conan Doyle - Colorized Portrait BEF 1904
Doyle 1893 Colorized
Doyle 1893 Colorized
Undershaw
Undershaw
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the Garden with his dog
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the Garden with his dog

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