Basingstoke Ladies' Probus Club welcomed Dr Stephen J. Goss

Dr Stephen J. Goss explained how Arthur Conan Doyle created Sherlock Holmes.

Dr Goss is a former history lecturer at Queen's University, Belfast, and is currently teaching history and politics at City Lit, along with being an expert tour guide at the Imperial War Museums.

Probus Club President Alison Wood and Dr Stephen J. Goss. (Image: Basingstoke Ladies' Probus Club)

During the talk, Sherlock Holmes fan, Dr Goss, explained to his audience how Conan Doyle used his life experiences and the events of his time to create the famous detective stories.

He spoke about how the tales reflect more than just mysteries but also touch upon politics, history, morality and human nature.

Dr Goss talked about Conan Doyle's journey into writing after studying medicine in Edinburgh from 1876.

He mentioned how Conan Doyle enjoyed being a ship's doctor on a whaler in 1880, unfortunately followed by an unpleasant trip to West Africa.

He was subsequently a GP in Southsea and ultimately an eye specialist with a Harley Street address.

Conan Doyle gave up his medical profession to write full-time in 1891 when he published his first Holmes short story A Scandal in Bohemia.

The meeting ended with a three-course lunch offering from the best of BcOT’s catering department.

For more information about the club, contact the admin secretary at reverendjane@hotmail.co.uk or 07754 296994.