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Two Marriages - Two Opposites: The Forbidden Happiness of Arthur Conan Doyle
Two Marriages - Two Opposites: The Forbidden Happiness of Arthur Conan Doyle

Video: Two Marriages - Two Opposites: The Forbidden Happiness of Arthur Conan Doyle

Video: Two Marriages - Two Opposites: The Forbidden Happiness of Arthur Conan Doyle
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Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle

160 years ago, on May 22, 1859, Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes and Professor Challenger, was born. He received a medical education and for many years was engaged in medical practice, combining it with writing books. Having married in his youth, he gave his word to be faithful to the one who became the mother of his two children. However, it was too difficult to keep the word. Another woman appeared in his life, who was the complete opposite of his wife.

Louise Hawkins - Angel in the Flesh

Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle

Arthur Conan Doyle was only 23 years old when he opened his own clinic in Edinburgh. Already at that time he was enthusiastically engaged in literary creativity and was not at all upset by a small number of clients.

When his colleague Dr. Pike approached the young doctor in March 1885 with a request to help diagnose a difficult patient, Conan Doyle immediately agreed. In Gloucestershire, both doctors saw a dying young man who could no longer be saved. However, it was possible to try to save his mother, who might not have withstood the departure of her son. Arthur Conan Doyle suggested that the patient be transported to his home, where he could be monitored around the clock. Together with the unconscious young man, his sister Louise Hawkins went.

Louise Hawkins
Louise Hawkins

Only four days her brother lived in the house of Conan Doyle. And all these days the young doctor watched with amazement the fragile and at the same time so strong girl. She was always at her brother's bedside and never tired of thanking the young doctor for taking care of someone who was simply impossible to help.

After Louise's departure, Arthur Conan Doyle became a frequent visitor to Gloucestershire, where he visited to see his beloved. In August 1885, Arthur Conan Doyle and Louise Hawkins became husband and wife.

She was a real angel, and all their life together he took care not to inadvertently offend this fragile flower, not to hurt his charming wife. She was just the ideal of a respectable wife: she was always friendly and caring, led the house, raised their two children.

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Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife Louise, 1892
Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife Louise, 1892

Even when Louise fell ill with tuberculosis, she tried not to show her husband how she was suffering. She rejoiced in every minute that her husband devoted to her. And he was afraid to admit, even to himself, that he was being consumed by a passion for a completely different woman. He tried to fight his secret love and considered himself not even entitled to think about another. The writer emerged victorious from this battle and never once in 21 years of marriage did he give his wife a reason to doubt his loyalty. Only a year after her death, he married the one he had loved for the past nine years.

Gene Leckie is far from an angel

Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle

Whether Arthur Conan Doyle really managed to remain faithful to his wife, no one knows. This secret has long been taken to the grave by the participants in this story. Some biographers of the writer believe: his feelings were platonic. Others are inclined to believe that there were several secret meetings. But the writer fulfilled his marital duty to the end: his wife was sure of her husband's love.

He met Jean Leckie in 1897. She was 13 years younger than Arthur and was completely different from his meek and quiet wife. Even the first steps towards rapprochement were taken by Jean. And he was completely mad with new feelings and rushed between duty and love.

On September 18, 1907, Jean Leckie became the wife of Arthur Conan Doyle
On September 18, 1907, Jean Leckie became the wife of Arthur Conan Doyle

In 1906 Louise died, and in 1907 Arthur Conan Doyle married Jean Leckie. He passionately loved his wife, never tired of admiring her until the end of his days. Jean entirely shared the writer's passion for spiritualism and was even considered a very powerful medium in certain circles.

Arthur Conan Doyle and Jean Leckie in Athens
Arthur Conan Doyle and Jean Leckie in Athens

Jeanne and her husband took part in a car race, which was organized in 1911 by Prince Henry of Prussia, they traveled together, read, argued about literature and didted on their daughter and their two sons.

Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife Jean in Stockholm, 1929
Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife Jean in Stockholm, 1929
Arthur Conan Doyle with Adrian (left) and Denis
Arthur Conan Doyle with Adrian (left) and Denis

Later, Adrian, the youngest son of the writer, who became his biographer, wrote in his book "The True Conan Doyle" that a completely indescribable atmosphere of chivalry reigned in the house.

The writer and his wife did not like boredom, but with the joy of the discoverers they learned about life in all its manifestations. They trusted each other and did not try to seem better than they really are. Their relationship was built on love and deepest mutual respect.

The last flower

Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife Jean
Arthur Conan Doyle and his wife Jean

In 1929, Arthur Conan Doyle only came to England for a short time, celebrated his 70th birthday and went on a journey again, this time to Scandinavia. This trip was the last in the life of the writer. Returning home, he spent most of the time in bed. His beloved Jin was invariably beside him.

On July 7, 1930, he went out into the garden and picked a flower that he intended to give to his wife. They found him unconscious, but before leaving to another world, the writer managed to tell Jean how wonderful she is.

Few know that Arthur Conan Doyle was a member of the Golden Dawn Occult Society, President of the British College of Occult Sciences and the London Spiritual Society, author of A History of Spiritualism and The Apparition of the Fairies. The writer believed in the existence of ghosts and took seances seriously. But some researchers call this another hoax associated with the name of Conan Doyle.

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