Powerbase - User contributions [en]

Bribery Bill

2009-03-26T12:23:34Z

Aileen Harding:

==Law Reform==

The United Kingdom has been under pressure to reform the law on bribery and corruption since ratifying the [[OECD]] Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transaction in December 1998. This followed a year on from the UK officially signing up to the OECD Convention. When the UK ratified the convention it concluded that existing law was sufficient to implement the convention, yet a year on an OECD Working Group on Bribery found the UK lacking.

Reports indicate that a draft Bribery Bill is due to be published for pre-legislative scrutiny in the 2009 session. This bill follows the publication of the [[Law Commission]]'s [[Reforming Bribery Report]]. According to the Law Commission their recommendations "will remove the outmoded distinctions between the public and private sectors. For the first time, there will be a single set of provisions capable of dealing with both sectors."<ref>[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313_press_release2.pdf Law Commission Press Release for Reforming Bribery Report]</ref>

==Attempts==

In 1998 the [[Law Commission]] published a report and draft Bill on Corruption under LC248.

This led to the Government draft Corruption Bill 2003. Under pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee the Corruption Bill received heavy criticism and it was recommended that the scheme of offences proposed be restructured.

The Government then went on to produce a consultation paper in December 2005. This revealed broad support for reform but lacked any consensus for progress to achieve it.

The Law Commission published another consultation paper in November 2007 under paper No. 185.
This led to the Law Commission Final Report of November 2008 under LawCom No313 or the [[Reforming Bribery Report]]. ."<ref>[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/bribery.htm Law Commission Bribery Summary]</ref>

==Published==

25th March 2009 saw Government publication of a Bribery Bill.

According to the Ministry of Justice website this Bill aims to reform criminal law, creating a comprehensive scheme of bribery offences to enable courts and prosecutors to respond effectively to bribery both abroad and in the UK. <ref>[http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/draft-bribery-bill.htm Ministry of Justice Draft Bribery Bill]</ref>

The Draft Legislation which is now in progress will make it a criminal offence to give or offer a bribe in the UK or abroad. It will increase the maximum prison term from 7 years to 10. It will also be a cirminal offence to receive bribes.
The most interesting aspects of this Bill are that commercial organisations (ie companies) will be liable for failure to prevent bribery and that MPs and peers will be able to be prosecuted. <ref> [http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/draft-bribery-bill-tagged.pdf Draft Bribery Bill]</ref>

There is however concern that as with Corruption Bills in the past, this legislation will fail to pass through Parliament, particularly as it has the added time constraint of being introduced a mere 15months before a General Election must be called. <ref> [http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/mar/25/bribery-bill-reaches-parliament Bribery Bill Finally Reaches Parliament]</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-03-13T12:07:03Z

Aileen Harding:

===LAWCom No 313 ===

Law Commission Report No 313 on Reforming Bribery was laid before Parliament and ordered to be printed by the [[House of Commons]] on 19th November 2008.
On 20th November 2008 the [[Law Commission]] published their report and made recommendations for reform of the law in this area. [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313.pdf Law Commission's Reforming Bribery report]

[[Lord Woolf]] commented on the proposals of the commission, stating that
:"although the proposals still have to be reduced to their final form, it is already clear that these amendments would result in a much needed improvement to our law and would redress the criticisms that have been made of our existing law by commentators from home or abroad. The new law should be much easier to enforce and while requiring higher standards of conduct is still perfectly fair. Those who conduct their business ethically should not fall foul of the proposed law, while those who seek to hide their dishonest conduct by the use of third parties should not be able to do so." <ref> [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk:80/bribery.htm] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

[[Jack Straw]] said that he was "grateful to the Law Commission for undertaking their thorough review." He also stated that "our current law is old, complex and fragmented, as the OECD also recently pointed out, and the government is committed to improving it." <ref> [http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease201108a.htm Government welcomes new bribery law recommendations] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

==Notes==

<references/>

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-03-13T12:06:38Z

Aileen Harding:

===LAWCom No 313 ===

Law Commission Report No 313 on Reforming Bribery was laid before Parliament and ordered to be printed by the [[House of Commons]] on 19th November 2008.
On 20th November 2008 the [[Law Commission]] published their report and made recommendations for reform of the law in this area. [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313.pdf Law Commission's Reforming Bribery report]

[[Lord Woolf]] commented on the proposals of the commission, stating that :"although the proposals still have to be reduced to their final form, it is already clear that these amendments would result in a much needed improvement to our law and would redress the criticisms that have been made of our existing law by commentators from home or abroad. The new law should be much easier to enforce and while requiring higher standards of conduct is still perfectly fair. Those who conduct their business ethically should not fall foul of the proposed law, while those who seek to hide their dishonest conduct by the use of third parties should not be able to do so." <ref> [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk:80/bribery.htm] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

[[Jack Straw]] said that he was "grateful to the Law Commission for undertaking their thorough review." He also stated that "our current law is old, complex and fragmented, as the OECD also recently pointed out, and the government is committed to improving it." <ref> [http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease201108a.htm Government welcomes new bribery law recommendations] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

==Notes==

<references/>

Bribery Bill

2009-03-13T12:05:59Z

Aileen Harding:

Bribery Bill

2009-03-13T12:04:14Z

Aileen Harding:

Bribery Bill

2009-03-13T12:02:37Z

Aileen Harding:

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-03-13T11:53:22Z

Aileen Harding:

===LAWCom No 313 ===

Law Commission Report No 313 on Reforming Bribery was laid before Parliament and ordered to be printed by the [[House of Commons]] on 19th November 2008.
On 20th November 2008 the [[Law Commission]] published their report and made recommendations for reform of the law in this area. [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313.pdf Law Commission's Reforming Bribery report]

[[Lord Woolf]] commented on the proposals of the commission, stating that "although the proposals still have to be reduced to their final form, it is already clear that these amendments would result in a much needed improvement to our law and would redress the criticisms that have been made of our existing law by commentators from home or abroad. The new law should be much easier to enforce and while requiring higher standards of conduct is still perfectly fair. Those who conduct their business ethically should not fall foul of the proposed law, while those who seek to hide their dishonest conduct by the use of third parties should not be able to do so." <ref> [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk:80/bribery.htm] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

[[Jack Straw]] said that he was "grateful to the Law Commission for undertaking their thorough review." He also stated that "our current law is old, complex and fragmented, as the OECD also recently pointed out, and the government is committed to improving it." <ref> [http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease201108a.htm Government welcomes new bribery law recommendations] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

==Notes==

<references/>

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-03-13T11:32:43Z

Aileen Harding:

===LAWCom No 313 ===

Law Commission Report No 313 on Reforming Bribery was laid before Parliament and ordered to be printed by the [[House of Commons]] on 19th November 2008.
On 20th November 2008 the [[Law Commission]] published their report and made recommendations for reform of the law in this area. [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313.pdf Law Commission's Reforming Bribery report]

[[Lord Woolf]] commented on the proposals of the commission, stating that "although the proposals still have to be reduced to their final form, it is already clear that these amendments would result in a much needed improvement to our law and would redress the criticisms that have been made of our existing law by commentators from home or abroad. The new law should be much easier to enforce and while requiring higher standards of conduct is still perfectly fair. Those who conduct their business ethically should not fall foul of the proposed law, while those who seek to hide their dishonest conduct by the use of third parties should not be able to do so." <ref> [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk:80/bribery.htm] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

[[Jack Straw]] said that he was "grateful to the Law Commission for undertaking their thorough review." He also stated that "our current law is old, complex and fragmented, as the OECD also recently pointed out, and the government is committed to improving it." <ref> [http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease201108a.htm Government welcomes new bribery law recommendations] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

==Notes==

<references/>

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-03-13T11:32:29Z

Aileen Harding:

===LAWCom No 313 ===

Law Commission Report No 313 on Reforming Bribery was laid before Parliament and ordered to be printed by the [[House of Commons]] on 19th November 2008.
On 20th November 2008 the [[Law Commission]] published their report and made recommendations for reform of the law in this area. [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313.pdf Law Commission's Reforming Bribery report]

[[Lord Woolf]] commented on the proposals of the commission, stating that "although the proposals still have to be reduced to their final form, it is already clear that these amendments would result in a much needed improvement to our law and would redress the criticisms that have been made of our existing law by commentators from home or abroad. The new law should be much easier to enforce and while requiring higher standards of conduct is still perfectly fair. Those who conduct their business ethically should not fall foul of the proposed law, while those who seek to hide their dishonest conduct by the use of third parties should not be able to do so." <ref> [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk:80/bribery.htm] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

[[Jack Straw]] said that he was "grateful to the Law Commission for undertaking their thorough review." He also stated that "our current law is old, complex and fragmented, as the OECD also recently pointed out, and the government is committed to improving it." <ref> [http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease201108a.htm Government welcomes new bribery law recommendations] as accessed 27/02/2009 <ref/>

==Notes==

<references/>

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-03-13T11:32:12Z

Aileen Harding:

===LAWCom No 313 ===

Law Commission Report No 313 on Reforming Bribery was laid before Parliament and ordered to be printed by the [[House of Commons]] on 19th November 2008.
On 20th November 2008 the [[Law Commission]] published their report and made recommendations for reform of the law in this area. [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313.pdf Law Commission's Reforming Bribery report]

[[Lord Woolf]] commented on the proposals of the commission, stating that "although the proposals still have to be reduced to their final form, it is already clear that these amendments would result in a much needed improvement to our law and would redress the criticisms that have been made of our existing law by commentators from home or abroad. The new law should be much easier to enforce and while requiring higher standards of conduct is still perfectly fair. Those who conduct their business ethically should not fall foul of the proposed law, while those who seek to hide their dishonest conduct by the use of third parties should not be able to do so." <ref> [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk:80/bribery.htm] as accessed 27/02/2009 </ref>

[[Jack Straw]] said that he was "grateful to the Law Commission for undertaking their thorough review." He also stated that "our current law is old, complex and fragmented, as the OECD also recently pointed out, and the government is committed to improving it." <ref> [http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease201108a.htm Government welcomes new bribery law recommendations] as accessed 27/02/2009 <ref/>

==Notes==
<reference/>

==Notes==

<references/>

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-02-27T15:30:51Z

Aileen Harding: /* LAWCom No 313 */

===LAWCom No 313 ===

Law Commission Report No 313 on Reforming Bribery was laid before Parliament and ordered to be printed by the [[House of Commons]] on 19th November 2008.
On 20th November 2008 the [[Law Commission]] published their report and made recommendations for reform of the law in this area. [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313.pdf Law Commission's Reforming Bribery report]

[[Lord Woolf]] commented on the proposals of the commission, stating that "although the proposals still have to be reduced to their final form, it is already clear that these amendments would result in a much needed improvement to our law and would redress the criticisms that have been made of our existing law by commentators from home or abroad. The new law should be much easier to enforce and while requiring higher standards of conduct is still perfectly fair. Those who conduct their business ethically should not fall foul of the proposed law, while those who seek to hide their dishonest conduct by the use of third parties should not be able to do so." <ref> [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk:80/bribery.htm] as accessed 27/02/2009 <ref/>

[[Jack Straw]] said that he was "grateful to the Law Commission for undertaking their thorough review." He also stated that "our current law is old, complex and fragmented, as the OECD also recently pointed out, and the government is committed to improving it." <ref> [http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease201108a.htm Government welcomes new bribery law recommendations] as accessed 27/02/2009 <ref/>

==Notes==
<reference/>

==Notes==

<references/>

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-02-27T15:30:05Z

Aileen Harding:

===LAWCom No 313 ===

Law Commission Report No 313 on Reforming Bribery was laid before Parliament and ordered to be printed by the [[House of Commons]] on 19th November 2008.
On 20th November 2008 the [[Law Commission]] published their report and made recommendations for reform of the law in this area. [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313.pdf Law Commission's Reforming Bribery report]

[[Lord Woolf]] commented on the proposals of the commission, stating that "although the proposals still have to be reduced to their final form, it is already clear that these amendments would result in a much needed improvement to our law and would redress the criticisms that have been made of our existing law by commentators from home or abroad. The new law should be much easier to enforce and while requiring higher standards of conduct is still perfectly fair. Those who conduct their business ethically should not fall foul of the proposed law, while those who seek to hide their dishonest conduct by the use of third parties should not be able to do so." <ref> [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk:80/bribery.htm] as accessed 27/02/2009 <ref/>

[[Jack Straw]] said that he was "grateful to the Law Commission for undertaking their thorough review." He also stated that "our current law is old, complex and fragmented, as the OECD also recently pointed out, and the government is committed to improving it." <ref> [http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease201108a.htm Government welcomes new bribery law recommendations] as accessed 27/02/2009 <ref/>

==Notes==

<references/>

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-02-27T15:18:36Z

Aileen Harding:

On 20th November 2008 the [[Law Commission]] published a report on bribery and made recommendations for reform of the law in this area. [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/lc313.pdf Law Commission's Reforming Bribery report]

[[Lord Woolf]] commented on the proposals of the commission, stating that "although the proposals still have to be reduced to their final form, it is already clear that these amendments would result in a much needed improvement to our law and would redress the criticisms that have been made of our existing law by commentators from home or abroad. The new law should be much easier to enforce and while requiring higher standards of conduct is still perfectly fair. Those who conduct their business ethically should not fall foul of the proposed law, while those who seek to hide their dishonest conduct by the use of third parties should not be able to do so." <ref> [http://www.lawcom.gov.uk:80/bribery.htm] as accessed 27/02/2009 <ref/>

==Notes==

<references/>

Reforming Bribery Report

2009-02-27T15:13:10Z

Aileen Harding:

Bribery Bill

2009-02-27T15:09:45Z

Aileen Harding: /* Law Reform */

Bribery Bill

2009-02-27T15:09:17Z

Aileen Harding: /* Law Reform */

Law Commission

2009-02-27T13:09:23Z

Aileen Harding:

The Law Commission is an independent body created by the Law Commissions Act 1965 to review the law and recommend reform where it is needed.

==Key Aims==
To ensure that the law is as fair, modern, simple and as cost-effective as possible.

To conduct research and consulations in order to make systematic recommendations for cinsdoeration by Parliament.

To codify the law, eliminate anomalies, repeal obsolete and unnecessary enactments and reduce the number of separate statutes<ref>[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/about.htm Law Commission About Us]<ref/>

==Consultations and Reports==

The Law Commission encourage responses and comments to consultations and reports.[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/current_consultations.htm Current Consultations]
[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/lc_reports.htm Commission Reports]

==Notes==
<references/>

Law Commission

2009-02-27T13:08:29Z

Aileen Harding: /* Key Aims */

Law Commission

2009-02-27T13:07:17Z

Aileen Harding:

The Law Commission is an independent body created by the Law Commissions Act 1965 to review the law and recommend reform where it is needed.

==Key Aims==
+ To ensure that the law is as fair, modern, simple and as cost-effective as possible.

+To conduct research and consulations in order to make systematic recommendations for cinsdoeration by Parliament.

+ To codify the law, eliminate anomalies, repeal obsolete and unnecessary enactments and reduce the number of separate statutes<ref>[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/about.htm Law Commission About Us]<ref/>

==Consultations and Reports==

The Law Commission encourage responses and comments to consultations and reports.[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/current_consultations.htm Current Consultations]
[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/lc_reports.htm Commission Reports]

==Notes==
<references/>

Law Commission

2009-02-27T13:03:17Z

Aileen Harding: /* Key Aims */

The Law Commission is an independent body created by the Law Commissions Act 1965 to review the law and recommend reform where it is needed.

==Key Aims==
+ To ensure that the law is as fair, modern, simple and as cost-effective as possible.

+To conduct research and consulations in order to make systematic recommendations for cinsdoeration by Parliament.

+ To codify the law, eliminate anomalies, repeal obsolete and unnecessary enactments and reduce the number of separate statutes<ref>[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/about.htm Law Commission About Us]<ref/>

==Notes==
<references/>

==Consultations==

==Reports==

==Notes==
<references/>

Law Commission

2009-02-27T13:01:55Z

Aileen Harding: /* Key Aims */

Law Commission

2009-02-27T13:01:17Z

Aileen Harding:

The Law Commission is an independent body created by the Law Commissions Act 1965 to review the law and recommend reform where it is needed.

==Key Aims==
+ To ensure that the law is as fair, modern, simple and as cost-effective as possible.
+To conduct research and consulations in order to make systematic recommendations for cinsdoeration by Parliament.
+ To codify the law, eliminate anomalies, repeal obsolete and unnecessary enactments and reduce the number of separate statutes<ref>[http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/about.htm Law Commission About Us]<ref/>

==Consultations==

==Reports==

==Notes==
<references/>

Law Commission

2009-02-27T12:56:47Z

Aileen Harding: /* Notes */

The Law Commission is an independent body created by the Law Commissions Act 1965 to review the law and recommend reform where it is needed.

==Consultations==

==Reports==

==Notes==
<references/>

Law Commission

2009-02-27T12:55:32Z

Aileen Harding:

The Law Commission is an independent body created by the Law Commissions Act 1965 to review the law and recommend reform where it is needed.

==Notes==
<references/>

Bribery Bill

2009-02-27T12:04:36Z

Aileen Harding: /* Law Reform */

Bribery Bill

2009-02-27T12:03:40Z

Aileen Harding: /* References */

Bribery Bill

2009-02-27T12:02:27Z

Aileen Harding: /* Law Reform */

Bribery Bill

2009-02-27T12:00:41Z

Aileen Harding: /* Law Reform */

Bribery Bill

2009-02-27T11:58:13Z

Aileen Harding:

Arthur Conan Doyle

2008-10-10T22:03:03Z

Aileen Harding:

'''Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle''' (22 May 1859-7 July 1930) was born in Edinburgh Scotland to Charles Altamont Doyle and Mary Foley, who had married in 1855.

Conan Doyle's father was a chronic alcoholic, which led to his demise and committal to an institution when Conan Doyle co-signed the committal papers the year he returned from school. An idea of the circumstances surrounding the confinement of his father can be gleaned from his 1880 story ''The Surgeon of Gaster Fell'' His mother inspired his love of books and story telling, as he would later recall her "sinking her voice to a horror-stricken whisper" when telling stories.

Wealthy members of the Doyle family paid for Conan Doyle's education, which led to him being sent away to a Jesuit boarding school, Hodder Place, at Stonyhurst. He went on to study at Stonyhurst College before graduating in 1876 and returning to Edinburgh.

Conan Doyle was inspired by a lodger in his mother's home who studied medicine at [[Edinburgh University]] and decided to take up his medical studies there. During his time at the University he met fellow future authors including James Barrie and Robert Louis Stevenson. But arguably Dr Joseph Bell would play a greater influence on his later literature as Conan Doyle recognised the skills of observation, logic, deduction and diagnosis which would become essential for his most famous character, [[Sherlock Holmes]].

In his third year of study at Edinburgh he took the opportunity to act as a ship's surgeon on the ''Hope'', a whaling boat which sailed to the Arctic Circle. This experience led to his first story about the sea, ''Captain of the Pole-Star''.

In 1881, Conan Doyle obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degree. For the occassion he drew a humorous sketch of himself receiving his diploma, with the caption: "Licensed to Kill."

Conan Doyle's first employment after graduation was on board the ''Mayumba'', a steamer heading from Liverpool to the West Coast of Africa. He found Africa detestable and on return to England took up a post with an unscrupulous doctor in Plymouth, an account of whom can be found in ''The Strak Munro Letters''.

Conan Doyle left Plymouth and opened his first practice.

In August 1885 he married Louisa Hawkins, who he described in his memoirs as "gentle and amiable". Together they had two children, Mary Louise (1889) and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley (1892). Louisa suffered failing health which was diagnosed as tuberculosis and she became Conan Doyle's patient in the late years of their marriage, before her death in 1906. In 1907 he married Jean Elizabeth Leckie, whom it is said he fell in love with in 1897, but maintained a platonic relationship with in respect of his first wife. They had three children together: Denis Percy Stewart (1909); Adrian Malcolm (1910); and Jean Lena Annette (1912).

Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes short stories were published in [[The Strand]] magazine. Conan Doyle's representative A.P Watt made the arrangements with The Strand and Sidney Paget took the role as illustrator of Sherlock Holmes.

In May 1891, Conan Doyle suffered a bout of influenza, leaving him bed ridden and between life and death for several days. It was this that led to his decision to end his medical career and focus upon writing as he declared "I should be my own master."

Despite the success of Holmes character, Conan Doyle felt weighed down by this character and stories which he felt were commercial at best and a distraction from his better work and the reputation he wanted to pursue as a serious author. This led to the demise of Sherlock Holmes in ''The Final Problem'' when he plunged to his death at The Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland. The end of Sherlock Holmes perhaps hit [[The Strand]] magazine worst as twenty thousand readers cancelled their subscriptions.

The outbreak of the Boer War led Conan Doyle to decide to enlist, having written of so many battles he concluded he should take this opportunity to test his skills as a soldier. The British Military deemed him unfit to enlist and so he offered his services as a medical doctor. He wrote ''The Great Boer War'' on his return as well as a pamphlet entitled ''The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct'' which justified the UK's role in the Boer War.
Conan Doyle believed it was this pamphlet that resulted in his knighthood in 1902. It has also been suggested that the King was a great fan of Sherlock Holmes and included Conan Doyle in his honours list as a means to encourage him to revive the character.

''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is perhaps Conan Doyle's most famous work. It began as a piece based on folkore he discovered after a prolonged stay on the Devonshire moors. But he decided that the story of an inhospitable manor, an escaped convict and a black sepulchral hound needed a hero. As he put it "why should I invent such a character, when I already have him in the form of Sherlock Holmes." This was not the revival of Sherlock Holmes, but was rather written as a previously untold story. Conan Doyle later went onto to revive Holmes with an explanation that he did not plunge to his death in Switzerland, but found it useful to be considered 'dead' for a time. [[The Strand]] was happy to begin publishing ''The Return of Sherlock Holmes'' in 1903.

Conan Doyle also worked upon miscarriages of justice. He proved that George Edalji, who had been convicted of slashing a number of horses and cows, would not have been capable of committing the acts due to his poor eyesight. He also detailed ''The Case of [[Oscar Slater]]''. Later, he came close to succeeding in sparing [[Roger Clement]] from execution for treason on the grounds of insanity.

The First World War saw the loss of Conan Doyle's eldest son, his brother, his two brothers-in-law and his two nephews. It is thought that this may have started his deepening interest in Spiritualism. He started to take his family on Pshycic tours and published books on the matter. He also published a book on his belief in fairies and spirits which recreated the Cottingley Fairy photographs.

==Notes== <references/> [http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org]

Arthur Conan Doyle

2008-10-10T21:56:35Z

Aileen Harding:

'''Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle''' (22 May 1859-7 July 1930) was born in Edinburgh Scotland to Charles Altamont Doyle and Mary Foley, who had married in 1855.

Conan Doyle's father was a chronic alcoholic, which led to his demise and committal to an institution when Conan Doyle co-signed the committal papers the year he returned from school. An idea of the circumstances surrounding the confinement of his father can be gleaned from his 1880 story ''The Surgeon of Gaster Fell'' His mother inspired his love of books and story telling from a young age, as he would later recall her "sinking her voice to a horror-stricken whisper" when telling stories in his youth.

Wealthy members of the Doyle family paid for Conan Doyle's education, which led to him being sent away to a Jesuit boarding school, Hodder Place, at Stonyhurst. He went on to study at Stonyhurst College before graduating in 1876 and returning to Edinburgh.

Conan Doyle was inspired by a lodge in his mother's home who studied medicine at [[Edinburgh University]] and decided to take up his medical studies there. During his time at the University he met fellow future authors including James Barrie and Robert Louis Stevenson. But arguably Dr Joseph Bell would play a greater influence on his later literature as Conan Doyle recognised the skills of observation, logic, deduction and diagnosis which would become essential for his most famous character, [[Sherlock Holmes]].

In his third year of study at Edinburgh he took the opportunity to act as a ship's surgeon on the ''Hope'', a whaling boat which sailed to the Arctic Circle. This experience led to his first story about the sea, ''Captain of the Pole-Star''.

In 1881, Conan Doyle obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degree. For the occassion he drew a humorous sketch of himself receiving his diploma, with the caption: "Licensed to Kill."

Conan Doyle's first employment after graduation was on board the ''Mayumba'', a steamer heading from Liverpool to the West Coast of Africa. He found Africa detestable and on return to England took up a post with an unscrupulous doctor in Plymouth, an account of whom can be found in ''The Strak Munro Letters''.

Conan Doyle left Plymouth and opened his first practice.

In August 1885 he married Louisa Hawkins, who he described in his memoirs as "gentle and amiable". Together they had two children, Mary Louise (1889) and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley (1892). Louisa suffered failing health which was diagnosed as tuberculosis and she became Conan Doyle's patient in the late years of their marriage, before her death in 1906. In 1907 he went on to marry Jean Elizabeth Leckie, whom it is said he fell in love with in 1897, but maintained a platonic relationship with in respect of his first wife. They had three children together: Denis Percy Stewart (1909); Adrian Malcolm (1910); and Jean Lena Annette (1912).

Conan Doyle's firs Sherlock Holmes short stories were published in [[The Strand]] magazine. Conan Doyle's representative A.P Watt made the arrangements with The Strand and Sidney Paget took the role as illustrator of Sherlock Holmes.

In May 1891, Conan Doyle suffered a bout of influenza, leaving him bed ridden and between life and death for several days. It was this that led to his decision to end his medical career and focus upon writing as he declared "I should be my own master."

Despite the success of Holmes character, Conan Doyle felt weighed down by this character and stories which he felt were commercial at best and a distraction from his better work and the reputation he wanted to pursue as a serious author. This led to the demise of Sherlock Holmes in ''The Final Problem'' when he plunged to his death at The Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland. The end of Sherlock Holmes perhaps hit [[The Strand]] magazine worst as twenty thousand readers cancelled their subscriptions.

The outbreak of the Boer War led Conan Doyle to decide to enlist, he decided that having written of so many battles he should take this opportunity to test his skills as a soldier. The British Military deemed him unfit to enlist and so he offered his services as a medical doctor. He wrote ''The Great Boer War'' on his return as well as a pamphlet entitled ''The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct'' which justified the UK's role in the Boer War.
Conan Doyle believed it was this pamphlet that resulted in his knighthood in 1902. It has also been suggested that the King was a great fan of Sherlock Holmes and included Conan Doyle in his honours list as a means to encourage him to revive the character.

''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is perhaps Conan Doyle's most famous work. It began as a piece based on folkore he discovered after a prolonged stay on the Devonshire moors. But he decided that the story of an inhospitable manor, an escaped convict and a black sepulchral hound needed a hero. As he put it "why should I invent such a character, when I already have him in the form of Sherlock Holmes." This was not the revival of Sherlock Holmes, but was rather written as a previously untold story. Conan Doyle later went onto to revive Holmes with an explanation that he did not plunge to his death in Switzerland, but found it useful to be considered 'dead' for a time. [[The Strand]] was happy to begin publishing ''The Return of Sherlock Holmes'' in 1903.

Conan Doyle also worked upon miscarriages of justice. He proved that George Edalji, who had been convicted of slashing a number of horses and cows, would not have been capable of committing the acts due to his poor eyesight. He also detailed ''The Case of [[Oscar Slater]]''. Later, he came close to succeeding in sparing [[Roger Clement]] from execution for treason on the grounds of insanity.

The First World War saw the loss of Conan Doyle's eldest son, his brother, his two brothers-in-law and his two nephews. It is thought that this may have started his deepening interest in Spiritualism. He started to take his family on Pshycic tours and published books on the matter. He also published a book on his belief in fairies and spirits which recreated the Cottingley Fairy photographs.

==Notes== <references/> [http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org]

Arthur Conan Doyle

2008-10-10T21:54:18Z

Aileen Harding:

'''Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle''' (22 May 1859-7 July 1930) was born in Edinburgh Scotland to Charles Altamont Doyle and Mary Foley, who had married in 1855.

Conan Doyle's father was a chronic alcoholic, which led to his demise and committal to an institution when Conan Doyle co-signed the committal papers the year he returned from school. An idea of the circumstances surrounding the confinement of his father can be gleaned from his 1880 story ''The Surgeon of Gaster Fell'' His mother inspired his love of books and story telling from a young age, as he would later recall her "sinking her voice to a horror-stricken whisper" when telling stories in his youth.

Wealthy members of the Doyle family paid for Conan Doyle's education, which led to him being sent away to a Jesuit boarding school, Hodder Place, at Stonyhurst. He went on to study at Stonyhurst College before graduating in 1876 and returning to Edinburgh.

Conan Doyle was inspired by a lodge in his mother's home who studied medicine at [[Edinburgh University]] and decided to take up his medical studies there. During his time at the University he met fellow future authors including James Barrie and Robert Louis Stevenson. But arguably Dr Joseph Bell would play a greater influence on his later literature as Conan Doyle recognised the skills of observation, logic, deduction and diagnosis which would become essential for his most famous character, [[Sherlock Holmes]].

In his third year of study at Edinburgh he took the opportunity to act as a ship's surgeon on the ''Hope'', a whaling boat which sailed to the Arctic Circle. This experience led to his first story about the sea, ''Captain of the Pole-Star''.

In 1881, Conan Doyle obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degree. For the occassion he drew a humorous sketch of himself receiving his diploma, with the caption: "Licensed to Kill."

Conan Doyle's first employment after graduation was on board the ''Mayumba'', a steamer heading from Liverpool to the West Coast of Africa. He found Africa detestable and on return to England took up a post with an unscrupulous doctor in Plymouth, an account of whom can be found in ''The Strak Munro Letters''.

Conan Doyle left Plymouth and opened his first practice.

In August 1885 he married Louisa Hawkins, who he described in his memoirs as "gentle and amiable". Together they had two children, Mary Louise (1889) and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley (1892). Louisa suffered failing health which was diagnosed as tuberculosis and she became Conan Doyle's patient in the late years of their marriage, before her death in 1906. In 1907 he went on to marry Jean Elizabeth Leckie, whom it is said he fell in love with in 1897, but maintained a platonic relationship with in respect of his first wife. They had three children together: Denis Percy Stewart (1909); Adrian Malcolm (1910); and Jean Lena Annette (1912).

Conan Doyle's firs Sherlock Holmes short stories were published in [[The Strand]] magazine. Conan Doyle's representative A.P Watt made the arrangements with The Strand and Sidney Paget took the role as illustrator of Sherlock Holmes.

In May 1891, Conan Doyle suffered a bout of influenza, leaving him bed ridden and between life and death for several days. It was this that led to his decision to end his medical career and focus upon writing as he declared "I should be my own master."

Despite the success of Holmes character, Conan Doyle felt weighed down by this character and stories which he felt were commercial at best and a distraction from his better work and the reputation he wanted to pursue as a serious author. This led to the demise of Sherlock Holmes in ''The Final Problem'' when he plunged to his death at The Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland. The end of Sherlock Holmes perhaps hit [[The Strand]] magazine worst as twenty thousand readers cancelled their subscriptions.

The outbreak of the Boer War led Conan Doyle to decide to enlist, he decided that having written of so many battles he should take this opportunity to test his skills as a soldier. The British Military deemed him unfit to enlist and so he offered his services as a medical doctor. He wrote ''The Great Boer War'' on his return as well as a pamphlet entitled ''The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct'' which justified the UK's role in the Boer War.
Conan Doyle believed it was this pamphlet that resulted in his knighthood in 1902. It has also been suggested that the King was a great fan of Sherlock Holmes and included Conan Doyle in his honours list as a means to encourage him to revive the character.

''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is perhaps Conan Doyle's most famous work. It began as a piece based on folkore he discovered after a prolonged stay on the Devonshire moors. But he decided that the story of an inhospitable manor, an escaped convict and a black sepulchral hound needed a hero. As he put it "why should I invent such a character, when I already have him in the form of Sherlock Holmes." This was not the revival of Sherlock Holmes, but was rather written as a previously untold story. Conan Doyle later went onto to revive Holmes with an explanation that he did not plunge to his death in Switzerland, but found it useful to be considered 'dead' for a time. [[The Strand]] was happy to begin publishing ''The Return of Sherlock Holmes'' in 1903.

Conan Doyle also worked upon miscarriages of justice. He proved that George Edalji, who had been convicted of slashing a number of horses and cows, would not have been capable of committing the acts due to his poor eyesight. He also detailed ''The Case of [[Oscar Slater]]''. Later, he came close to succeeding in sparing [[Roger Clement]] from execution for treason on the grounds of insanity.

The First World War saw the loss of Conan Doyle's eldest son, his brother, his two brothers-in-law and his two nephews. It is thought that this may have started his deepening interest in Spiritualism. He started to take his family on Pshycic tours and published books on the matter. He also published a book on his belief in fairies and spirits which recreated the Cottingley Fairy photographs.

[http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org]

Arthur Conan Doyle

2008-10-10T21:45:00Z

Aileen Harding:

'''Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle''' (22 May 1859-7 July 1930) was born in Edinburgh Scotland to Charles Altamont Doyle and Mary Foley, who had married in 1855.

Conan Doyle's father was a chronic alcoholic, which led to his demise and committal to an institution when Conan Doyle co-signed the committal papers the year he returned from school. An idea of the circumstances surrounding the confinement of his father can be gleaned from his 1880 story ''The Surgeon of Gaster Fell'' His mother inspired his love of books and story telling from a young age, as he would later recall her "sinking her voice to a horror-stricken whisper" when telling stories in his youth.

Wealthy members of the Doyle family paid for Conan Doyle's education, which led to him being sent away to a Jesuit boarding school, Hodder Place, at Stonyhurst. He went on to study at Stonyhurst College before graduating in 1876 and returning to Edinburgh.

Conan Doyle was inspired by a lodge in his mother's home who studied medicine at [[Edinburgh University]] and decided to take up his medical studies there. During his time at the University he met fellow future authors including James Barrie and Robert Louis Stevenson. But arguably Dr Joseph Bell would play a greater influence on his later literature as Conan Doyle recognised the skills of observation, logic, deduction and diagnosis which would become essential for his most famous character, [[Sherlock Holmes]].

In his third year of study at Edinburgh he took the opportunity to act as a ship's surgeon on the ''Hope'', a whaling boat which sailed to the Arctic Circle. This experience led to his first story about the sea, ''Captain of the Pole-Star''.

In 1881, Conan Doyle obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degree. For the occassion he drew a humorous sketch of himself receiving his diploma, with the caption: "Licensed to Kill."

Conan Doyle's first employment after graduation was on board the ''Mayumba'', a steamer heading from Liverpool to the West Coast of Africa. He found Africa detestable and on return to England took up a post with an unscrupulous doctor in Plymouth, an account of whom can be found in ''The Strak Munro Letters''.

Conan Doyle left Plymouth and opened his first practice.

In August 1885 he married Louisa Hawkins, who he described in his memoirs as "gentle and amiable". Together they had two children, Mary Louise (1889) and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley (1892). Louisa suffered failing health which was diagnosed as tuberculosis and she became Conan Doyle's patient in the late years of their marriage, before her death in 1906. In 1907 he went on to marry Jean Elizabeth Leckie, whom it is said he fell in love with in 1897, but maintained a platonic relationship with in respect of his first wife. They had three children together: Denis Percy Stewart (1909); Adrian Malcolm (1910); and Jean Lena Annette (1912).

Conan Doyle's firs Sherlock Holmes short stories were published in [[The Strand]] magazine. Conan Doyle's representative A.P Watt made the arrangements with The Strand and Sidney Paget took the role as illustrator of Sherlock Holmes.

In May 1891, Conan Doyle suffered a bout of influenza, leaving him bed ridden and between life and death for several days. It was this that led to his decision to end his medical career and focus upon writing as he declared "I should be my own master."

Despite the success of Holmes character, Conan Doyle felt weighed down by this character and stories which he felt were commercial at best and a distraction from his better work and the reputation he wanted to pursue as a serious author. This led to the demise of Sherlock Holmes in ''The Final Problem'' when he plunged to his death at The Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland. The end of Sherlock Holmes perhaps hit [[The Strand]] magazine worst as twenty thousand readers cancelled their subscriptions.

The outbreak of the Boer War led Conan Doyle to decide to enlist, he decided that having written of so many battles he should take this opportunity to test his skills as a soldier. The British Military deemed him unfit to enlist and so he offered his services as a medical doctor. He wrote ''The Great Boer War'' on his return as well as a pamphlet entitled ''The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct'' which justified the UK's role in the Boer War.
Conan Doyle believed it was this pamphlet that resulted in his knighthood in 1902. It has also been suggested that the King was a great fan of Sherlock Holmes and included Conan Doyle in his honours list as a means to encourage him to revive the character.

''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is perhaps Conan Doyle's most famous work. It began as a piece based on folkore he discovered after a prolonged stay on the Devonshire moors. But he decided that the story of an inhospitable manor, an escaped convict and a black sepulchral hound needed a hero. As he put it "why should I invent such a character, when I already have him in the form of Sherlock Holmes." This was not the revival of Sherlock Holmes, but was rather written as a previously untold story. Conan Doyle later went onto to revive Holmes with an explanation that he did not lunge to his death in Switzerland, but found it uself to be considered 'dead' for a time. [[The Strand]] was happy to begin puclishing ''The Return of Sherlock Holmes'' in 1903.

[http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org]

User:Aileen Harding

2008-10-10T21:30:11Z

Aileen Harding:

'''Aileen Janet Harding''', born Stirling (1986). Moved to Inverness in 1989.
Attended Muirtown Primary School and Charleston Academy before moving to Glasgow to attend the University of Glasgow. Graduated with an LLB in 2008 before beginning Postgraduate studies at University of Strathclyde.

Arthur Conan Doyle

2008-10-10T16:13:38Z

Aileen Harding:

'''Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle''' (22 May 1859-7 July 1930) was born in Edinburgh Scotland to Charles Altamont Doyle and Mary Foley, who had married in 1855.

Conan Doyle's father was a chronic alcoholic, which led to his demise and committal to an institution when Conan Doyle co-signed the committal papers the year he returned from school. An idea of the circumstances surrounding the confinement of his father can be gleaned from his 1880 story ''The Surgeon of Gaster Fell'' His mother inspired his love of books and story telling from a young age, as he would later recall her "sinking her voice to a horror-stricken whisper" when telling stories in his youth.

Wealthy members of the Doyle family paid for Conan Doyle's education, which led to him being sent away to a Jesuit boarding school, Hodder Place, at Stonyhurst. He went on to study at Stonyhurst College before graduating in 1876 and returning to Edinburgh.

Conan Doyle was inspired by a lodge in his mother's home who studied medicine at [[Edinburgh University]] and decided to take up his medical studies there. During his time at the University he met fellow future authors including James Barrie and Robert Louis Stevenson. But arguably Dr Joseph Bell would play a greater influence on his later literature as Conan Doyle recognised the skills of observation, logic, deduction and diagnosis which would become essential for his most famous character, [[Sherlock Holmes]].

In his third year of study at Edinburgh he took the opportunity to act as a ship's surgeon on the ''Hope'', a whaling boat which sailed to the Arctic Circle. This experience led to his first story about the sea, ''Captain of the Pole-Star''.

In 1881, Conan Doyle obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery degree. For the occassion he drew a humorous sketch of himself receiving his diploma, with the caption: "Licensed to Kill."

Conan Doyle's first employment after graduation was on board the ''Mayumba'', a steamer heading from Liverpool to the West Coast of Africa. He found Africa detestable and on return to England took up a post with an unscrupulous doctor in Plymouth, an account of whom can be found in ''The Strak Munro Letters''.

Conan Doyle left Plymouth and opened his first practice.

In August 1885 he married Louisa Hawkins, who he described in his memoirs as "gentle and amiable". Together they had two children, Mary Louise (1889) and Arthur Alleyne Kingsley (1892). Louisa suffered failing health which was diagnosed as tuberculosis and she became Conan Doyle's patient in the late years of their marriage, before her death in 1906. In 1907 he went on to marry Jean Elizabeth Leckie, whom it is said he fell in love with in 1897, but maintained a platonic relationship with in respect of his first wife. They had three children together: Denis Percy Stewart (1909); Adrian Malcolm (1910); and Jean Lena Annette (1912).

Conan Doyle's firs Sherlock Holmes short stories were published in [[The Strand]] magazine. Conan Doyle's representative A.P Watt made the arrangements with The Strand and Sidney Paget took the role as illustrator of Sherlock Holmes.

In May 1891, Conan Doyle suffered a bout of influenza, leaving him bed ridden and between life and death for several days. It was this that led to his decision to end his medical career and focus upon writing as he declared "I should be my own master."

Despite the success of Holmes character, Conan Doyle felt weighed down by this character and stories which he felt were commercial at best and a distraction from his better work and the reputation he wanted to pursue as a serious author. This led to the demise of Sherlock Holmes in ''The Final Problem'' when he plunged to his death at The Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland. The end of Sherlock Holmes perhaps hit [[The Strand]] magazine worst as twenty thousand readers cancelled their subscriptions.

The outbreak of the Boer War led Conan Doyle to decide to enlist, he decided that having written of so many battles he should take this opportunity to test his skills as a soldier. The British Military deemed him unfit to enlist and so he offered his services as a medical doctor. He wrote ''The Great Boer War'' on his return as well as a pamphlet entitled ''The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct'' which justified the UK's role in the Boer War.
Conan Doyle believed it was this pamphlet that resulted in his knighthood in 1902. It has also been suggested that the King was a great fan of Sherlock Holmes and included Conan Doyle in his honours list as a means to encourage him to revive the character.

''The Hound of the Baskervilles'' is perhaps Conan Doyle's most famous work. It began as a piece based on folkore he discovered after a prolonged stay on the Devonshire moors. But he decided that the story of an inhospitable manor, an escaped convict and a black sepulchral hound needed a hero. As he put it "why should I invent such a character, when I already have him in the form of Sherlock Holmes." This was not the revival of Sherlock Holmes, but was rather written as a previously untold story. Conan Doyle later went onto to revive Holmes with an explanation that he did not lunge to his death in Switzerland, but found it uself to be considered 'dead' for a time. [[The Strand]] was happy to begin puclishing ''The Return of Sherlock Holmes'' in 1903.

Arthur Conan Doyle

2008-10-10T15:53:24Z

Aileen Harding: