Review:Recollections of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by Residents of Crowborough/Christopher Roden
This review of the booklet "Recollections of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by Residents of Crowborough", by Malcolm Payne was written by Christopher Roden and published in the A.C.D. - The Journal of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (Vol. 4, 1993).
Review
- Recollections of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by Residents of Crowborough
- Collected by Malcolm Payne; Edited, with some notes on Windlesham, by Philip Weller.
- Sherlock Publications, 1993; 26pp (card cover); £4.50 (including postage). ISBN: 1-873720-09-2
- Available from Malcolm Payne, 4 Wealden Close, Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 2ST.
- Special Price for Arthur Conan Doyle Society Members (inc. postage: UK £4.00; Rest of Europe £4.50; Canada & USA £5.00 (US$10); Asia & Oceania £5.50 (US$11.00). Sterling cheques should be payable to 'The Arthur Conan Doyle Memorial Fund'. Dollar payments in US banknotes only please.
Reviewed by Christopher Roden
However much one tries to re-create the image of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, however much one seeks to find events in his life reflected in his writings, nothing can replace the 'evidence' of those who knew him personally.
In the Foreword to this volume, Dame Jean Conan Doyle notes that she has often felt sad that so few people actually remain who knew ACD. Dame Jean adds: 'As his daughter, anything I say about him is likely to be dismissed as the biased viewpoint of a loving offspring .... Some may treat Dame Jean's remarks in this way. However, one would wish that more recollections and personal memories were forthcoming to add to the picture of ACD which many of us have built up in our minds.
This booklet seeks to collect memories and reminiscences of some of those who knew or worked for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle during his years in Crowborough — and it succeeds in its task. It is the culmination of years of work by the indefatigable Malcolm Payne, who, almost single-handed, has made Crowborough recognise the importance of the heritage bequeathed by one who lived in the town for so many years.
Mr Payne gathers together the memories of chauffeurs, housemaids and gardeners, all of whom worked for, and seemingly became a part of, the Conan Doyle family at Windlesham. Their reminiscences display a warmth for their former employer which is pleasing to read; their anecdotes show Conan Doyle for the fair-minded, approachable man that he was.
Philip Weller's notes on Windlesham are a welcome finale and provide useful background for those planning a visit to the former Conan Doyle home.
The booklet would have benefited from the inclusion of photographs illustrating the various locations to which contributors refer. Nevertheless, Recollections of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a valuable addition to the growing body of information on ACD's life, and should be considered essential reading for the student of Conan Doyle.
C.R.
- Article courtesy Christopher Roden, founder of The Arthur Conan Doyle Society (1989-2003).
