1920s Family Portrait of Iconic Mystery Writer

This photograph captures Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the iconic British author best known for creating the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, alongside his family. Taken between 1920 and 1925, this image offers a glimpse into the personal life of a man who not only shaped the detective genre but also engaged in various endeavors, including spirituality and public health. Conan Doyles literary career soared in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, and by this time, he was already a celebrated figure in literature and beyond.

The Bain News Service, known for documenting notable personalities, produced this glass negative, which has preserved the likeness of Conan Doyle during a time when he was gaining recognition for his contributions to literature and other fields. The early twentieth century marked a period of change in Britain, with social and political shifts influencing much of public life, a context in which Conan Doyle played an active role, advocating for several social causes. This image serves as a historical document, highlighting a moment of familial tranquility amid the wider currents of change that defined the era.