CONAN DOYLE’S WILL

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 58, 2 December 1930, Page 3

CONAN DOYLE’S WILL

Written by Himself

BEQUESTS TO RELIGION

Gifts made to spiritualistic societies are an interesting feature of the will of the .late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the fanßus novelist and supporter of spiritualism. He bequeathed:—£loo to the Spiritualistic Alliance of Loudon; £lOO to the National Spiritualistic Union of Manchester; and £2OO to the Psychic College, London. Commenting in bis will on these bequests, Sir Arthur expresses himself “well convinced that these institutions represent the most important religious movement that the world now holds.” He adds: “If I have not left more to promote this cause, it is because in my lifetime I have been able to devote considerable sums to this end, and because my successors will, I know, follow my example in combating materialism.” The amount of Sir Arthur's unsettled property is estimated at £30,000, and his settled property at a much larger sum.

Written entirely by his own hand and drawn up by himself, Sir Arthur’s will was made on May 6 this year. He appointed his wife and his eldest sou as executors. To Lady Conan Doyle he begueather £5OO, to be paid at once, all his household property, “including bobks, pictures, and manuscripts to sell or not, as she may desire,” and half the residue of his estate, after the payment of a number of bequests., This will directs that an annuity of £250 a year shall be paid to Sir Arthur’s former secretary, Alfred H. Wood, “in consideration of his putting his services at the disposal of my wife, should she desire his advice or help.” Another annuity of £5O a year is to be paid to Monsignor Richard Barry Doyle, “now residing on the Riviera.” To his elder daughter, Mary, Sir Arthur left £2OOO, as well as interest from certain shares. To Clara Doyle, of Eastbourne, he bequeathed £lOOO. His chauffeur, William Latter—-“if still in my employ”—is to receive £lOO. Among other legacies Sir Arthur loft £5O each x to Linda Falconer and A. C. Walford, of the Psychic Bookshop, Victoria Street, if still employed in the shop.” . 1 t;

The will further states, “My executors shall deal as they think best with copyrights, plays, cinema rights or unpublished manuscrips, it being my wish that the advice and co-operation’ of A. S. Watt, of Norfolk Street, be always obtained.”