Public talk in Portchester on Conan Doyle's interest in spiritualism

Author Matt Wingett will shed more light on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as part of his new book, Conan Doyle and the Mysterious World of Light.

It reveals how Conan Doyle first became interested in spiritualism while living in Southsea, and traces his early spiritualist career.

Mr Wingett said: ‘When Conan Doyle came to Southsea in 1882, he was a convinced materialist, but over the following years the people he met in Portsmouth changed his mind.’

Mr Wingett said people who influenced the writer included Major-General Alfred Wilkes-Drayson, a retired army officer who was convinced he had communicated with the spirit of his deceased brother and Henry Ball, the architect who designed Saint Agatha’s Church, Landport. It’s said Conan Doyle started attending seances in 1887.

The discussion will be held on Monday from 6pm, at Portchester Library.

To book a place, contact the library on (023) 92370 021.