Readings and Reminiscences

Flyer for the Boston lecture (31 october 1894).

Readings and Reminiscences is a lecture given by Arthur Conan Doyle for the first time on 10 october 1894 at the Calvary Baptist Church, in West 57-st., New York (USA). Then Conan Doyle did it again in other towns during his USA tour managed by Major J. B. Pond.

Dates & locations

• 10.08.1893 : Readings and Reminiscences, at the Calvary Baptist Church, NY (USA).
• 31.10.1894 : Readings and Reminiscences, at the Association Hall, Boston (USA).

About Conan Doyle's lecture

Dr. A. Conan Doyle made his American lecture debut at Calvary Baptist Church, where a large audience gathered, many curious about the creator of Sherlock Holmes. He appeared sturdy, unassuming, and spoke with a mix of Scottish, British, and American accents. His attitude toward Holmes was engaging and free of pretense. Doyle did not claim to be a skilled reader, but the excerpts he read from his works were effective due to their narrative appeal. His lecture, Readings and Reminiscences, focused on personal experiences rather than theories, though he would have preferred discussing the latter. He reminisced about literary influences, including Thackeray, Washington Irving, Cooper, and Parkman—who inspired his novel The Refugees. He admired Edgar Allan Poe's detective stories, acknowledging their influence on his own work. His deep appreciation for American literature and culture made him a natural favorite among American readers.

"To my mother," and he lingered on the word, "I owe the delight to be found in a well told story. I started writing a book at the somewhat immature age of 6. I wrote it in a free, bold hand — four words to the line. In this first book of mine there were a man and tiger. They began separately, but they were blended when the man and the tiger met. The book was illustrated by the author. The tiger looked like a many hooped barrel with a tail to it. Of my first story to appear in the Cornhill magazine it was said it would make Thackeray turn in his grave. About that time a gentleman appeared who had been a very great friend to me — Sherlock Holmes. He was so real to some people that I received letters asking for a lock of his hair, and one letter asked for his photographs at different ages."

Reports

New York

• A. Conan Doyle's Lecture. His First Appearance Before His American Friends (11 october 1894, New-York Tribune)
• Dr. Conan Doyle as a Lecturer (11 october 1894, The Chicago Tribune)
• Conan Doyle's First Lecture (13 october 1894, The Critic)

Boston

• ...

---

• Back to Complete Works
• Back to Conan Doyle