The Doyle Diary

by Charles Altamont Doyle, Michael Baker

The creator of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle's father, Charles Altamont Doyle was incarcerated in a Victorian asylum due to his alcoholism. His random jottings and exquisite illustrations in an attempt to prove his sanity, later became this fascinating journal.

Genres: Biography, Art, Nonfiction, 19th Century, Memoir, British Literature

91 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Charles Altamont Doyle was an illustrator, watercolourist and civil servant. Member of an artistic family, he is remembered today primarily for being the father of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the research, reproduction of Charles Altamont Doyle's illustrated diary and the photographs.

Didn't go in so much for the way Doyle's biographer tries to wrap the story of Charles Altamont Doyle's life in a Holmesian metaphor. Seems a little twisted to tell the tale of the father in terms dictated by the fictional constructs of the son? Someone more immersed in Freudian theory can tackle explaining why for me!

What is incredible here are the illustrations . . . the elder Doyle was indeed in possession of an indefatigable talent and an eye for an interior life of fantasy that didn't shy too far away from the darker sides of the imagination or of life.

And what an interior life it must have been for this talented, yet troubled man, the grandfather of Sherlock Holmes?


Photo Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Art Resource, NY from artmagick.com website.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A facsimile of a journal that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's father kept after being admitted to a lunatic asylum on account of his alcoholism and epilepsy. Bold strategy my dude, trying to prove your sanity by filling the pages of a book with art that's part William Blake part Edward Lear and mostly concerned with fairy encounters and jokes about death, because honestly same.

[Elderberrywine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is purely being rated on the WTF factor, which is rather considerable. It said Doyle, and I ordered it from the library, what can I say. The titular Doyle is Arthur Conan Doyle's father, who spent most of the latter part of his life in the Montrose Royal Lunatic Asylum, although he does not appear to ever have been considered mad.

The best part is the lengthy introduction by Michael Baker, in which he examines this puzzle as his hero Sherlock Holmes would pursue it. The consensus by the end seems to be some sort of combination of alcoholism and epilepsy.

Be that as it may, what we have is a collection of annotated drawings by Doyle pere. Obviously he had talent (his brother was a well-known illustrator for Punch), but the subject matter? Let's just say both Doyles, father and son, had a keen interest in fairies. One can only imagine what the son's creation would have thought of this.

[Holger Haase · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting piece that I found cheaply in a Second Hand book store. An art diary by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's father Charles Altamont Doyle drawn during his time in an asylum. Images are dominated by fairies, botanical pictures and mixed with word play. The foreword reveals research that finally establishes the exact dates and reasons for his incarceration: predominantly alcoholism but also epilepsy. Charles Altamont may not have been a top rate artist but probably someone who had deserved some more recognition.

[Rick Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, really. The introduction/accompanying text was a little baroque, a trifle thick to get through, attempting to create a Holmesian mystery, when in fact CA Doyle was just a little on the margins of society...a little overwrought and alcoholic, but inclined towards mental breakdown. The part of the book I really liked, the Sunnyside sketchbook, makes clear that Doyle's imagination was clever and lively, and his draftsmanship superb. The appendix at the end, transcribing all of the text throughout the sketchbook, is invaluable in getting a sense of his thought processes as he worked.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting. I’ve heard a lot about Arthur Conan Doyle, but not a lot about his father and it is interesting to learn more about him. The sketches are amazing, ranging from doodles to full on pictures. Fascinating.

[Curmudgeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction, written in the style of a faux-Holmesian investigation, is rather cloying, although some interesting information is contained within it. Doyle's diaries themselves, on the other hand, are fascinating and fanciful--clearly not the work of a madman, though perhaps the work of an eccentric. Some of the drawings are just silly sketches, but there are some amazingly well-executed pieces in there as well. (The insights into his opinions on Irish political issues stand out in particular amongst his commentary.)

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Mr. David Silverman for introducing me to this book! I remember that you found a copy of this at a goodwill you'd worked at years ago and then you told me to look at your copy. it took me a while, but then i got obsessed!

it's a facsimile copy of charles doyle's (aurthur's father) watercolor diaries while he wa incarcerated in a Dumfries mental asylum for 'insanity'.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this at my local Good Will today. This might top the $19.00 cashmere coat for best thrift store find of all time.

[Jay Mandeville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as beautiful & mysterious as the imagination of Charles Altamont Doyle.

[Jülie ☼♄  · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book.

[Sarah P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful, simple book that shows the story of a man with an inventive mind.

[Susan]

This diary is interesting. Look closely at the art work ~ there is much to see.