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Arthur Conan Doyle
(1859-1930)

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Perhaps the most famous quotation attributed to Doyle's character, Sherlock Holmes, is "Elementary, my Dear Watson." The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, Fourth Edition, 1992, p. 256, states that the quotation "is not found in any book by Conan Doyle, although a review of the film The Return of Sherlock Holmes in the New York Times 19 October 1929. p. 22, states: 'In the final scene Dr Watson is there with his "Amazing, Holmes," and Holmes comes forth with his "Elementary, my dear Watson, elementary."'

Here are a few other quotations which ARE in Doyle's books:

• 'Excellent,' I cried. 'Elementary,' said he. (The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1894), 'The Crooked Man.')
• You see, but you do not observe. (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1892) 'The Red-Headed League.')
• How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth? (The Sign of Four (1890) ch. 6)
• It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence. It biases the judgment. (A Study in Scarlet (1888) ch. 3)
• Where there is no imagination, there is no horror. (A Study in Scarlet (1888) ch. 5)
• Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognises genius. (The Valley of Fear (1915) ch.1)