How Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Was A Real-Life Fairy Hunter

If modern movie and TV versions of the world’s most famous detective have taught us anything, it’s that the popularity of Sherlock Holmes is forever ingrained in our collective pop-culture memory. Even Star Trek told tales of Holmes and Watson through the lens of the 24th century. But the man who brought Holmes to the world—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle—was a bit of a detective in his own right. And in the early twentieth century, he became involved in a supernatural investigation of his own that would give Sherlock a run for his money.

#SherlockHolmes #ArthurConanDoyle #WeirdHistory

[JTKatz]

That was sweet of the girls to let him believe the fairy’s were real. Let him be comforted by the lie than burdened by the truth

[Bmore.BLIND-GUY]

Interestingly enough he was friends with Harry Houdini who made it his life‘s mission to debunk spiritualism

[Davivd]

I think this story just further reinforces Doyle's greatness as a writer. Holmes was a level headed character who-if put on the case to investigate these fairy photos-would surely have debunked the photos. Being able to write a character so far from his own personal frame of reference speaks to Doyle's skill as a writer and the depth of his imagination. It's no wonder Doyle believed in the supernatural. He had an active imagination.

[NewMessage]

My Dad had an IQ well into the 140's, but he still believed in the Mets, so...

[pamelamays]

Suggestion: How we have Stephen King's wife Tabitha to thank for the publication of the novel "Carrie". Long story short, King didn't like they way his very first novel turned out and threw it in the trash. Tabitha, who's also a novelist, retrieved it and convinced her husband to send it to the publisher.

[cagedcreature]

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: this is the work of…FAIRY GOD PARENTS!!!

[viffey]

As a child I was obsessed with Enid blyton books, they were my escape from reality. I'd love to hear your take on her life and works xx

[redcherry]

I'll forever be in love with the vintage pics ♥️

[geligniteandlilies]

Arthur’s father believed in fairies and drew them frequently. Sadly he was institutionalized for that belief. 😥

[atreyuws]

Finally, an episode to break the body horror streak this channel has been on.

[kali]

I honestly don't remember where I saw this, but someone produced a show where Conan Doyle faced his own creation Sherlock Holmes, who expressed his dislike that Conan Doyle once killed him off and challenged him on his very un-Holmesian beliefs. Ultimately, Conan Doyle's fantasies cost him the friendship of Harry Houdini - and probably many others as well. Wish I knew what that show was - I would love to see it again.

But the thing about the Cottingly Fairies is that the girls did it solely to fool their own father. Things simply got too far out of their control, and they had to continue with the fiction into their adult lives. Elsie Wright was almost 80 when she finally admitted the deception, but by then, no one cared.

[MsDisneylandlover]

I loved the girls photos i loved vintage pics. And i loved old fashioned pin up cartoon pics.

[kl]

I've never understood why people thought the photos were real. They look like cardboard cutouts lol.

[professorsprout]

Psychologically I think the trait linking Arthur with todays folks who pay psychics is the same. Extreme trauma. Multiple deaths in his family. I do believe psychic glimpses are real but I have seen people I treasure pay psychics to tell them their loved ones are alright and forgive them or see their wrongs. We need to give ourselves permission to escape without having to believe in specific things. This is better than the Q anon fantasy. Also never underestimate the cleverness of girls.

[DocHolliday]

He never gave up. I'll give him that.

[Midlife_Manical_Mayhem]

i'm glad they used snippets from the movie about this. i didn't know about it, but was able to find it on amazon and have saved it to my list to watch later.

[Mashka]

Fascinating video on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who was a curious and intelligent man. Can you make a in-depth analysis on Jane Austen and the background on some of her well known and famous Novels

[dylammack]

Did you coordinate this with the "Today I found out" channel? You both released videos on this topic in the same hour!

Now I know what I'm doing this morning. 🍿🍿🍿 lol

Keep up the great content!

[floramew]

Iirc houdini was one of Doyle's critics wrt his credulity towards fantastic claims, and even tried to actively debunk stuff to get Doyle to see.

But honestly... I'm not sure it mattered. I'm sure it came about as a way to cope with his grief. Given his celebrity status at the time, he probably convinced some people to pay for seances etc that wouldn't have, but if they didn't blow their life's savings on it, then what's the harm? Whether or not I believe in fairies and magic, if it's not hurting anyone, I've got no business deciding what is it is not a good coping mechanism. Grief or otherwise.

[grapeshot]

Yeah this is what we can call an early instance of being trolled. And the author Sherlock Holmes fell for it Hook, Line & Sinker.🎣🎣🎣