Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859. His great novels inspired what could possibly be the best TV show that ever existed, Sherlock. It’s all about Sherlock Holmes – the man, the myth, the legend – and his trusty sidekick, Dr. John Watson.
Me at Baker Street
My favorite book by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is The Hound of the Baskervilles. It’s about a supernatural hound on the moors of Devon, England. In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sherlock and Dr. Watson investigate the death of a man they believe is connected to the scary hound. It is said that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired by the legend of Black Vaughan.
There once was a man named Black Vaughan. He was a real person. His name was Thomas Vaughan and he was a 15th century lord. He had two big black hounds. He lived in my dad’s home village of Kington, in Herefordshire, England right on the border of England and Wales. He died in the Battle of Banbury in the War of the Roses in 1469. His headless body was returned to Kington, where he was buried at Saint Mary’s Church. After his death, his ghost haunted Kington. The villagers in Kington are still afraid to walk near his home at night because there are tales of seeing his ghost and the ghost of his black hound. If you see the hound, it’s an omen for death.
St. Mary’s Church, Kington, where Black Vaughan is buried
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle based his story on these hounds and the legend of Black Vaughan. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is known to have stayed at Hergest Hall in Kington shortly before he wrote the book. This is why The Hound of the Baskervilles is my favorite story. My dad used to tell me that story all the time and I’ve been to Saint Mary’s Church, where Black Vaughan is buried. I’ve also been to Hergest Court, Black Vaughan’s home.
When we were in London a couple weeks ago, we visited 221B Baker Street – the fictional home of Sherlock Holmes. We’re huge fans of Sherlock. I like Sherlock Holmes because he is a master of observation and deduction. He’s super smart and super quick. He can solve any puzzle. I bought a few a collection of Sherlock Holmes’ books and am reading them now.
Baker Street Tube
