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Richard Lancelyn Green was a leading expert on Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. When he died unexpectedly in 2004 he bequeathed his collection to Portsmouth after visiting the city’s Central Library as part of his research into Conan Doyle. He was so impressed by how knowledgeable and helpful the staff were, plus the fact that Sherlock Holmes was created in Southsea, that he decided Portsmouth should eventually become home to his life’s work.

Always willing to help out others who shared his passion for Holmes and Conan Doyle, Richard insisted, as a condition of his bequest, that his collection remains available to the general public as well as to scholars and aficionados.

The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Richard Lancelyn Green Collection is one of the most wide-ranging in the world. It includes first editions of books, related letters, film and television memorabilia, as well as Richard’s recreation of Sherlock Holmes’ Baker Street study.

Items with some connection to Sherlock Holmes, from match boxes with Sherlock Holmes on them, to adverts in magazines and even copies of the Radio Times with listings of related programmes, are included in the Collection.

The items featured on this website offer only a glimpse of the treasures within the Collection. Find out how you can explore the Collection in more detail.