A Conan Doyle Letter: Doyle and Another v. Wright and Another

From The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia

A Conan Doyle Letter: Doyle and Another v. Wright and Another is an article published in The Times on 31 july 1930.


A Conan Doyle Letter

The Times (31 july 1930, p. 4)

Doyle and Another v. Wright and Another

(Before Mr. Justice Farwell)

This was an ex parte motion on behalf of Lady (Jean) Doyle and her son, Mr. Denis Doyle, of Windlesham, Crowborough, Sussex, executors of the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, for an interim injunction to restrain Mr. Sydney Fowler Wright and his son, Mr. Gilbert Wright, of Berrylands, Beaconsfield, Bucks, from continuing or repeating any infringement of the plaintiffs' copyright in a letter written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Mr. Sydney Fowler Wright, and published in the Sunday Express of July 20 last.

Mr. Galbraith, K.C., Sir George W. H. Jones, and Mr. F. Ashe Lincoln appeared for the plaintiffs.

Lady Doyle, in her affidavit, stated that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died on July 7. About two years ago Sir Arthur sent to Mr. Sydney Fowler Wright, for his perusal, a manuscript marked "confidential." The copyright in the manuscript was vested in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at the time of his death and was now vested in his executors. Mr. Gilbert Wright carried on business as a publicity agent. The publication in the Sunday Express of July 20 was under the heading: "How the World will End. A strange prophecy by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle."

Mr. Galbraith stated that the plaintiffs had been unable to serve the defendants with the notice of motion. He asked for an ex parte injunction to restrain further publication of manuscript.

Mr. Justice Farwell granted an interim injunction over the first sitting of the Vacation Judge.

Solicitors. — Messrs. Champness, Dale and Stretton, for Sir Robert Gower, Tunbridge Wells.