You are here: Our work > Sensing Culture > Conan Doyle and his Creation

Conan Doyle and his Creation
As part of the Sensing Culture project, funded by the Heritage Lottery, we created a traveling exhibition which used audio description technology and tactile panels to improve accessibility to the Collection for blind and partially sighted visitors.
The exhibition consists of 16 removable audio described panels, detailing the life of Conan Doyle, the origins of the Conan Doyle Collection and the world of Sherlock Holmes. Beneath these pages are two very unusual handling objects hidden underneath the panels. These have been produced by the University of Portsmouth using 3D printing technology. One hints at Conan Doyle's beliefs in Spiritualism, with Conan Doyle's bust in the bottom left hand corner, and the hint of a Spirit, or 'extra' above him. On the right hand side is a 3D version of the Reichenbach Falls, with Moriarty and Sherlock battling on the edge of the waterfall. This scene has been created to evoke the senses.
We have now created an online version of this exhibition to allow you to find out more about the Collection through both the written word and audio.
Enter the world of Conan Doyle and his Creation (opens in a new window)
Explore the collection
The Adventure of the Creeping Man
A facsimile manuscript of The Creeping Man has been published, on the 90th anniversary of the…
Photo Arthur Conan Doyle with Jean and Harry HoudinI
Conan Doyle with his wife Jean and Harry Houdini in Denver, Colorado, 9 May 1923 (October 2015)
Attacked by pterydactyls, an Illustration from the Lost World
An illustration by Joseph Clement Coll for The Sunday Magazine.
The Death of 'Touie'
Throughout the month of August, we remember Louisa Hawkins (August, 2018)
Illustration of a dinosaur from the Lost World
Professor Challenger and his companions are mobbed by a cluster of flying pterodactyls and pursued…
Photo Arthur Conan Doyle listening to the radio
Conan Doyle at the Ambassador Hotel Atlantic City, listening to a concert broadcast on the radio…
Photograph of Bush Villas, Elm Grove, Southsea
Conan Doyle arrived in Portsmouth in 1882. After research he chose Bush Villas in Elm Grove,…
Illustration from the Strand Magazine
An illustration by Harry Rountree for The Strand Magazine.
Mummy Disguise from To Catch a Thief workshop
A thousand-year-old mummy, swathed in bandages (with stitches in his head and one red eye) is…
Illustration of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson
Black and White illustration featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in Holmes' study.
Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle playing billiards
Conan Doyle competed in the Billiard Association Amateur Championships, February 1913.(November…
Hand Made Quill Pen
A hand made quill pen which was the last one ever made by the Victorian designer and socialist…
Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle crossing the Gemmi Pass with a Swiss guide
Mountaineering was one of the many activities Conan Doyle sampled in Switzerland
Photo of Jeremy Brett
Jeremy Brett played Sherlock Holmes in ITV's television series which ran from 1984-1994.
Photograph of Study for Sherlock Exhibition Stand
Photo of the stand for the Study for Sherlock Exhibition featuring items from the Arthur Conan…
The Spiritualism Debate
Regarding his strong beliefs, Doyle and Joseph McCabe staged a public debate over their opinions.…

- 1The Adventure of the Creeping Man
- 2Photo Arthur Conan Doyle with Jean and Harry HoudinI
- 3Attacked by pterydactyls, an Illustration from the Lost World
- 4Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle Skiing
- 5The Death of 'Touie'
- 6Illustration of a dinosaur from the Lost World
- 7Photo Arthur Conan Doyle listening to the radio
- 8Photograph of Bush Villas, Elm Grove, Southsea
- 9Illustration from the Strand Magazine
- 10Mummy Disguise from To Catch a Thief workshop
- 11Illustration of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson
- 12Photograph of Conan Doyle playing tennis
- 13Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle playing billiards
- 14Hand Made Quill Pen
- 15Photograph of Arthur Conan Doyle crossing the Gemmi Pass with a Swiss guide
- 16Photo of Jeremy Brett
- 17Photograph of Study for Sherlock Exhibition Stand
- 18The Spiritualism Debate
