Best known for his detective stories featuring Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) also wrote romances, historical novels, and books on spiritualism.
Davidson modeled the elderly author as part of his project to document the most distinguished contemporary men of letters. The idea for such a series was suggested in 1930 by George Doran, whose publishing firm issued many books by the authors selected. At first Davidson was surprised by Conan Doyle’s appearance but soon decided that his round face and drooping moustache reminded him of the fictional character, Dr. Watson.