G.K. Chesterton – Author of Father Brown

On May 29th 1874 Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in Kensington, London. Chesterton wrote everything from journalism to poetry to fantasy. One of his best loved characters is that of Father Brown. Father Brown is a non descript quiet clergy man who has an uncanny ability to solve crimes. Altogether Father Brown appeared in 52 of Chesterton’s short stories.

Chesterton came from a middle class family, his father worked for an estate and auctioneer house. Gilbert attended St Paul’s School before entering the University College of London. He took classes in both illustration and literature but failed to get a degree in either. He dropped out and began to work for a publishing company. He stayed with this job until 1902 when he got his own weekly opinion column. He would continue to write this column for the “Daily News” and “The Illustrated London News” for the next thirty years. [Read More ...]

Arthur Conan Doyle – Sherlock Holmes

On May 22 1859, Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh Scotland. Arthur Conan Doyle is probably best known for creating the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. Arthur Doyle’s father, Charles Altamont Doyle was an alcoholic but his mother according to Arthur was a brilliant story teller.

Arthur studied medicine and earned his medical degree at the university of Edinburgh. One of the most notable people he met at school was Dr. Joseph Bell, whom Arthur respected and admired. Many of Bell’s qualities, would show up in the character of Sherlock Holmes. [Read More ...]

Agatha Christie – Mystery Writer Queen

Agatha Christie is credited with being the most translated authors of all time. Not only are her works available in 56 different languages, but she is also credited with having sold more books than any other author. According to Guinness, only the bible has sold more copies! So just where did this amazing author come from?

Agatha Miller was born in 1890 in the small town of Torquay which is located in Devon, England. She was the youngest of three children born to the Millers. Agatha was educated at home by tutors until the age of sixteen when she went to study in Paris. She studied singing and piano in Paris but was too shy to consider a career in music. [Read More ...]