A Friendship Of Literary Giants.

A Friendship Of Literary Giants.

Sherlock Holmes and Count Dracula are fictional immortals. Both characters have outlived their creators and seem to have taken on a life of their own. They have been the subject of many books, as well as numerous film, television, and radio adaptations.

The creators of Sherlock Holmes and Count Dracula first met in the early 1890s. It was then that Arthur Conan Doyle and Abraham ‘Bram‘ Stoker became acquainted through the medium of theatre.

Arthur Conan Doyle’s story A Straggler of ‘15’ was published in March, 1891. He later adapted this tale of a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo into a one-act play. Conan Doyle submitted this to Sir Henry Irving. Irving was the most famous actor of the day, and manager of The Lyceum Theatre in London.

Bram Stoker, (later famous as the author of Dracula), was Sir Henry Irving’s Secretary and stage manager. Stoker wrote that, “Irving fell in love with the character, (the aged Corporal Henry Brewster) and began to study it right away.“

Writing later in his autobiography Memories And Adventures, Arthur Conan Doyle recalled that,

“To my great delight I had a pleasing note from Bram Stoker, the great man’s Secretary, offering me £100 for the copyright.“

The title of the play, A Story of Waterloo, was shortened to Waterloo. Bram Stoker wrote that, “The only change in the play Irving made was to get Sir Arthur - then “Dr“ or “Mr“ - Conan Doyle to consolidate the matter of the first few pages into a shorter space.“ The play was eventually performed at The Lyceum Theatre.

Several years later Arthur Conan Doyle wrote that he had, “made a little melodrama out of Sherlock Holmes.“ He put this in the hands of a literary agent in London. The agent then sent the script to the famous actor and theatre manager, Herbert Beerbohm Tree. However, nothing came of it.

Arthur Conan Doyle wrote to the literary agent informing him that Sir Henry Irving had shown some interest in the play. But once again it was not to be. One wonders what the great Sir Henry Irving would have made of the role of Sherlock Holmes.

Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel Dracula was published in 1897. Soon after it’s publication Arthur Conan Doyle wrote to Bram Stoker, praising the book; “I think it is the very best story of diablerie which I have read for many years.“  Conan Doyle went on to say that, “It holds you from the very start and grows more and more engrossing until it is quite painfully vivid.“ He signed off by saying,

“I congratulate you with all my heart for having written so fine a book.“

On 18 September, 1907, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle married his second wife, Jean Leckie. Bram Stoker attended the wedding.

Prior to this, Bram Stoker interviewed Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at his home at Hindhead in Surrey. The lengthy interview covered a lot of ground - from Conan Doyle’s childhood up to his 1894 lecture tour to America. It concluded with the news that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was due to marry Jean Leckie.

The resultant article was first published in the USA in the 28 July, 1907, issue of The World (New York.)  It went under the wordy title of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Tells of His Career and Work. His sentiments towards America. And His Approaching Marriage. Publication in the United Kingdom occurred in the 14 February, 1908, issue of The Daily Chronicle, (London.) This time the title was briefer - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Tells of His Work & Career.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Bram Stoker both created fictional characters that are more popular today than ever. Their literary legacies are ensured.

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