In honor of Sir Conan Doyle's birthday....

BiggusGeekus

BiggusGeekus

That's Latin for "cool"
A mystery!

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4981210/

LONDON - Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts got a rare glimpse into the private world of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as thousands of personal papers — from his passport to his jotted-down story ideas — went on display Friday.

At the same time, the archive has become entwined in a mystery worthy of Conan Doyle’s celebrated fictional detective: the bizarre death of a leading Holmes scholar.

The papers are to be auctioned off Wednesday, perhaps to disappear again into the obscurity of private ownership, a fate that had obsessed Richard Lancelyn Green, a former chairman of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London.

Green, 50, was found dead in his bed on March 27, garroted with a shoelace tightened by a wooden spoon, and surrounded by stuffed toys.
Click to expand...

... it's a couple of years old. But can you solve it or at least reach the same conclusion the police did?
 

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Reminds me of an episode of CSI! :eek:

I'm a little dubious of the apparent cause of death - just because it's on MSNBC doesn't mean it can't be a joke.

Come to think of it, I'm a little dubious of it coming from you, BG!! :p :lol:
 


As the official Arthur Conan Doyle expert on ENWorld, I'd like to acknowledge that BiggusGeekus' post is totally correct.

RLG (Richard Lancelyn Green) was indeed found dead in the manner described in the article. As a somewhat active member of the Sherlock Holmes community, I had corresponded with Green on several occasions before his death. He even sent me a Sherlock Holmes Christmas card one year. I was greatly saddened by his death which has been officially ruled a suicide.

I spoke with several folks who knew him personally, and it is pretty clear that Green was mentally unstable. He was an absolutely brilliant scholar, but was sadly obsessed with his own inadequacies and finally ended his life in the brutal and bizarre manner described.

I can say, quite confidently, that Richard Lancelyn Green was one of the greatest Doyle scholars that ever lived. His scholarship has paved the way for the research of countless Doyle enthusiasts (myself included). I can only hope that people will remember him for the work he did throughout his life rather than his bizarre and truly unfortunate death.
 
Last edited:

Alenda said:
I spoke with several folks who knew him personally, and it is pretty clear that Green was mentally unstable. He was an absolutely brilliant scholar, but was sadly obsessed with his own inadequacies and finally ended his life in the brutal and bizarre manner described.

I can say, quite confidently, that Richard Lancelyn Green was one of the greatest Doyle scholars that ever lived. His scholarship has paved the way for the research of countless Doyle enthusiasts (myself included). I can only hope that people will remember him for the work he did throughout his life rather than his bizarre and truly unfortunate death.
Click to expand...

When I've seen him mentioned it's always with respect. When I listened to the NPR story on the topic, they guy they interviewed went on and on about Green. He was clearly a scholar in the truest sense of the word. I am sorry his loss hurt you in a personal manner.

-BG

PS That said, you spoiled the mystery! Can you edit the last half of the last sentence in your second paragraph? Thanks!
 

BiggusGeekus said:
PS That said, you spoiled the mystery! Can you edit the last half of the last sentence in your second paragraph? Thanks!
Click to expand...

I've edited my post appropriately, changing the incriminating text to black, so that people who don't want the mystery spoiled, won't see the answer unless they specifically highlight my words.
 

BiggusGeekus said:
I am sorry his loss hurt you in a personal manner.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your words. The Sherlock Holmes community is so small that every loss is a cause for great sadness. I am glad you posted this article, though. Raising awareness of Green and his work is pretty important.
 

I have an old beat up copy of "Sagas of Asgard" by Roger Lancelyn Green that I've had in my possession since I was a kid. Same guy? Related to Richard somehow?
 

Alenda said:
As the official Arthur Conan Doyle expert on ENWorld, I'd like to acknowledge that BiggusGeekus' post is totally correct.

RLG (Richard Lancelyn Green) was indeed found dead in the manner described in the article. As a somewhat active member of the Sherlock Holmes community, I had corresponded with Green on several occasions before his death. He even sent me a Sherlock Holmes Christmas card one year. I was greatly saddened by his death which has been officially ruled a suicide.

I spoke with several folks who knew him personally, and it is pretty clear that Green was mentally unstable. He was an absolutely brilliant scholar, but was sadly obsessed with his own inadequacies and finally ended his life in the brutal and bizarre manner described.

I can say, quite confidently, that Richard Lancelyn Green was one of the greatest Doyle scholars that ever lived. His scholarship has paved the way for the research of countless Doyle enthusiasts (myself included). I can only hope that people will remember him for the work he did throughout his life rather than his bizarre and truly unfortunate death.
Click to expand...
This verifies the old saw that truth is stranger than fiction. I should have known better than to assume anything - especially being a Sherlock Holmes afficianado myself. I'm sorry to hear of Mr. Green's death in any case. :(
 


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