Amazing Grace: John Newton

Three years ago, I had a poetry section in my English class. Everyone was assigned a poet. I was assigned John Newton! I was thrilled. We were supposed to make a presentation about our poet talking about them and a piece of poetry they had written. I choose to write about his song/poem Amazing Grace, my favorite song! I also had to write a poetry evaluation about the song, explaining why it is a great example of poetry. So this will be a long post, but I hope you take your time and enjoy getting to know this amazing man and the song that he wrote.

Enjoy
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John Newton is best known as a slave-trader and the writer of Amazing Grace. He could certainly testify to the truth of this hymn because God saw fit to change him from a pagan slave trader to pastor and hymn writer. Newton has inspired many with his amazing story of salvation and his numerous poems and hymns.

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The Beginning

John Newton was born in Wrapping London, on July 24, 1725, the only child of  Captain Newton and Elisabeth Scatliff. As Newton’s father was often away, he was raised by his mother, who made Newton’s spiritual education her highest priority. However, when he was seven, his mother developed tuberculosis and her friend Elizabeth Catlett, took her in. It had always been a private joke between the two mothers, that John Newton and the Catlett’s daughter, Mary, would later wed. Sadly, Elizabeth Newton died on July 11, 1732.  Soon after, Captain Newton remarried. Growing up, John frequently got into trouble. He often resolved to live as his mother had taught him. However, he only did this to escape God’s displeasure.  

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His Middle Years

In 1742, John Newton shattered his father’s dream of him making a good fortune. His father had found a well-paying job for John on a slave ship. However, John had fallen in love with Mary Cattlet and decided to miss the ship. Eventually, he was forced to work on the ship, the Harwich for five miserable years. Then he later was transferred onto the Greyhound, working in the slave trade were he suffered from abuse, illness, and starvation for two years. Newton had by this time lost all faith in God. But it was by God’s grace that he picked up a book called, Imitation of Christ. Though the book meant nothing to Newton then, it was the first pivot in his life’s voyage.

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On March 21, 1748, while returning home to England, God would, as John Newton later wrote, rescue the “African Blasphemer.” Amid a great storm, Newton unexpectedly cried to God for mercy and reached home in May, 1848 — no longer an infidel, but a Christian by conviction. On February 1, 1750, Newton married the love of his life, Mary Cattlet. And at the age of thirty-nine, Newton was made a deacon at Olney where he became friends with a poet, William Cowper. This was when “Amazing Grace” was written. On December 15, 1790, John Newton’s dearly beloved wife died. Newton continued to preach up to his death even though he became blind. He died December 21, 1807 and was buried under the vault in his church, St. Mary Woolnoth.

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So this was the song/ poem I chose. Here is a explanation for why I like this song so much. First of all, the words are so amazing. The whole song is just full of meaning and it applies to all who have been saved by God's grace. Second of all, when my grandpa was in the hospital (just a few weeks before he died), he was talking to my mom(this was before he was saved) and he told her, " I want all ten verses sung at my funeral" I don't know whether there are ten official verses or not, but the fact was that he really liked this song, which I thought was really cool. Just hours before he died at the age of eighty-six, he was saved. There is no other way to describe this than to to say it was a miracle. So at his funeral, we sang all the verses known in the traditional Amazing Grace. It was the best funeral I had ever been too! It was so awesome knowing that after years and years of so many people praying for him, he was finally saved! It was God's Amazing Grace!

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I just love this quote

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Poetry Evaluation

1.         Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

2.         That saved a wretch like me.

3.         I once was lost but now am found,

4.         Was blind, but now I see.        

5.         T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.

6.         And Grace, my fears relieved.

7.         How precious did that Grace appear

8.         The hour I first believed.

9.         Through many dangers, toils and snares

10.       I have already come;

11.       'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far

12.       and Grace will lead me home.

13.       The Lord has promised good to me.

14.       His word my hope secures

15.       He will my shield and portion be,

16.       As long as life endures.

17.       Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

18.       And mortal life shall cease,

19.       I shall possess within the veil,

20.       A life of joy and peace.

21.       When we've been here ten thousand years

22.       Bright shining as the sun.

23.       We've no less days to sing God's praise

24.       Than when we've first begun.

Martin Luther once said, “A man must completely despair of himself in order to become fit to obtain the grace of Christ.” Grace. That was what John Newton’s life was about. After living a wretched life full of slavery and blindness, Newton, while in a terrible storm, was spared from disaster. The only reason he was both spiritually and physically saved was by God’s grace. Amazing Grace, Newton’s life story, never fails to move people’s hearts and continues to attract and appeal to many. Though written hundreds of years ago, it exemplifies fine poetry through its effective word choice, relatability, and truths.

The effective word choice in Amazing Grace contributes to this fine piece of poetry.  John Newton uses vivid words which fill the poem with meaning and impact the reader. This poem, quickly and dramatically expressed, leaves the reader filled with emotion. Newton frankly describes himself with these words, “wretch”, “blind”, and “lost.”(2-4) He is contrasting the sweet grace of God to himself, a vile sinner, which makes God’s salvation even more amazing. In using these strong words to describe himself, Newton realizes what his fate would have been had God not saved him. Nearing the end, Newton describes the Lord as a “shield” and “portion.” (15) The word “shield” assures people that Jesus will protects us from God’s Judgment and does not let anything hurt us unless it is for our good. “Portion” means God is a believer’s life, his hope, and his great reward. Newton’s thankfulness to be saved from himself is reflected in Amazing Grace through his word choice and elicits gratefulness in the reader. The moving words in this song will greatly impact those who read this exceptional poem.

 Not only do the descriptive words make “Amazing Grace” a fine piece of poetry but also its relatability. Though this poem is about Newton’s life, it is also the story of many. Newton was a sinner as all people are, which is why it applies to so many. After his conversion to Christianity, Newton describes himself before, during, and after he was saved as a blind and lost wretch. Sinners all over the world need to know of their lost condition. In lines (3-4), Newton realized “I once was lost, but now am found, / Was blind, but now I see.” Newton’s life certainly was lived as a wretch in the slave trade. After he understood, as everyone should, his utter depravity and blindness in terms of his own need, he can see clearly he is a wretch, and finds himself in a position to understand and accept God’s free grace and the hope of eternal life. As the song progresses, he shares, “T’was grace that taught my heart to fear, / and grace my fears relieved.” (5-6) What person who has come face to face with his own depravity cannot relate to God’s grace in showing him his own weakness and his need for a great savior? Because Amazing Grace applies to many, it, even to this day is still loved poetry.   

The truths expressed in “Amazing Grace” also contribute to its enduring appeal. Lessons and truths can encourage, protect, and warn those who read them. They can even change people’s lives. Newton provides many simple truths, and presents them in such a profound way through his poetry. “T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed.” ( 5-8) God’s grace shows Newton his sinful and wretched nature and causes him to fear a perfect and just God. It is important that people know they are sinful so they can repent and become saved. Readers are reminded of this inability to save themselves. This verse is humbling and sobering. That is what makes the truths in this poem a blessing. Another truth, “I shall possess within the veil a life of joy and peace” (19-20) reminds Christians how they can stand pure before God because of Christ’s sacrifice. This is a great truth because readers must acknowledge their sinfulness and God’s overwhelming kindness to save them. In the end, the wonderful illustrations of truths, which John Newton portrays throughout Amazing Grace, provides quality poetry.

People, like the prodigal son in the Bible, seek wealth and earthly pleasures and often squander all that has been given them by their Father. When the Holy Spirit opens their eyes, they see how wrong they were to attempt living apart from God. He graciously saves them though they rejected, hated, and disobeyed him. God’s Grace is amazing, as John Newton experienced and expressed. “Amazing Grace,” though written two hundred fifty years ago, is still remembered and well loved. Through his personal testimony, John Newton captured the essence of God’s grace through effective word choice, truths, and relatable story, creating a beloved and timeless work of poetry.

While researching the song Amazing Grace, I came across this. I know it is long, but I think it is worth the read! It helped me understand the words in the song a lot better.

Study and Discussion Guide for Amazing Grace (Faith’s Review and

Expectation)

Who wrote Amazing Grace?

John Newton

When did John Newton live?

He was born in 1725 and died in 1807. He probably wrote “Amazing Grace” around Christmas of 1772.

Who was John Newton?

Newton was a slave-ship captain who was saved by God’s “amazing grace.” He was an Anglican minister. He wrote hymns with his friend, William Cowper. He joined his friend William Wilberforce in his campaign to abolish the slave trade.

What is significant about the hymn “Amazing Grace”?

It is probably the most well-known Christian hymn in the world.

Stanza 1

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see.

What is grace?

Grace is kindness from God that I do not deserve.

Why is God’s grace “amazing”?

God’s grace is amazing because through it he saves wretches.

What is a wretch?

A wretch is a miserable, wicked and vile person.

Are you a wretch?

Yes, the Bible tells me that I am born a sinner, dead in trespasses and sin. Left to myself, I will not love God or my neighbor as I ought.

What does such a wretch deserve?

A wretch deserves to go to hell, a place of where unrepentant sinners are punished forever by God.

What does God give to rescue us from his wrath?

God gave his Son, Jesus Christ.

What did Jesus Christ do?

He lived a life of perfect love and obedience to God. He died on the cross in the place of sinners. He rose from the dead. He now sits at God’s right hand in glory.

How does Jesus Christ rescue us from the wrath of God?

When a sinner repents of his sin and trusts in Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, God forgives all his sin and considers him to be as righteous as Jesus.

How does a sinner come to believe in Jesus Christ?

God must find him and give him sight.

How is a sinner “lost”?

Before salvation, a sinner walks away from the Lord and his paths, like a sheep that is not part of a flock.

How is a sinner “found”?

Through the Gospel, Jesus Christ speaks like a shepherd calling his sheep. By God’s power, when we hear his voice we are drawn to him. We turn away from our sin because we trust the voice of our shepherd.

How is a sinner “blind”?

Both Satan and our sin blind our eyes to the Gospel so that we may not see Christ as precious and powerful to save.

How does a sinner “see”?

God, through the working of the Holy Spirit, unveils our faces so that we can see Christ’s glory. He does this through “regeneration,” which is a big word that means to give something life a second time.

Stanza 2

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed!

What does it mean that grace “taught my heart to fear”?

It means that the Holy Spirit convicts a sinner of his sinful nature, of God’s righteous character and demands, and of the judgment that is coming upon all God’s enemies. The convicted sinner begins to fear God and the coming judgment and desires to be saved.

Why is that gracious?

It is “grace” because I do not deserve to know of my wretched condition. I deserve to go immediately to hell.

Does grace leave a sinner in this fear?

No. After teaching a heart to fear, grace relieves its fears.

How does grace relieve fears?

It teaches the believer about what God gives to him in Jesus Christ. Jesus was judged for sins on the cross. Therefore, the believer need not fear God’s judgment. Christ’s righteousness is given to him as a gift through

faith. Therefore, he need not fear falling short of the righteousness that God requires.

What does this grace appear “precious” at the hour of believing?

It relieves all the sinner’s fears of God’s judgment. It assures him of a right standing before God. Therefore, it is

the most valuable thing in all the world.

Stanza 3

Through many dangers, toils and snares

I have already come;

’Tis grace that brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

Through what “dangers, toils, and snares” must a sinner come?

Even though we will be saved, Jesus did not promise us that we would be safe in this world. Paul told the early Christians that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Christians will be hated by many people because they love Jesus. Some Christians will be put in prison or killed. Satan tempts and afflicts. False teachers will try to get them to follow different gospels. Their own hearts will be tempted by the world and its enticements.

How does the Christian escape these dangers?

The Christian perseveres by grace. God preserves his faith, corrects his sin, and encourages his heart. The

Holy Spirit causes the Christian’s heart to desire his heavenly Father. God uses his word, the Bible, and his

church to help believers continue following Jesus.

What do these experiences teach the believer?

Past deliverances give us assurance that “grace will lead me home.” The good work that God began in his

people he will bring to completion. Amazing grace promises that God will never, ever forsake his people.

Stanza 4

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures.

How can we be certain that “grace will lead me home,” as the end of stanza 3 says?

As a Christian, I can be certain because the Lord has promised good to me.

What good has he promised to his people?

He has promised to be their shield and portion.

How is God a “shield”?

Through Christ, believers are shielded from the wrath of God. Neither Satan nor the world can harm God’s people, unless God allows it for their good.

How is God a “portion”?

God is a believer’s life, his hope and his great reward. What God gives us in Jesus is more satisfying that all

the world can offer.

For how long will God be the “shield and portion” of his people?

God will be the “shield and portion” of his people for as long as life endures.

For how long will life endure?

For eternity.

Where do we find such promises of hope?

In God’s Word.

How does his Word secure our hope?

God is truth and in him there is no falsehood. What he says, he will do. He cannot lie.

What is God’s Word?

God’s Word is his Bible, in which is found the story of redemption.

God’s Word is also his Son, Jesus the Messiah, who is the Word made flesh. In him we see all that God has done to redeem sinners. His presence before the throne of God makes a believer secure forever.

Stanza 5

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

What is meant by “this flesh and heart shall fail and mortal life shall cease”?

Death.

Will you die?

Yes. Scripture says that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb 9:27).

What does the believer expect after death?

The believer has certainty of “a life of joy and peace.” He will live in paradise, which is the presence of God.

Where will the believer have this life?

“Within the veil.”

What does that mean?

After Adam and Eve fell, they were cut off from the presence of God, being cast out of the Garden of Eden.

This was symbolized in the temple by a veil that hung before the Most Holy Place, where God’s glory dwelt.

For a sinner to enter God’s presence is certain death.

How does the believer then have life “within the veil”?

At Christ’s death, the veil was torn into, symbolizing that Christ had made a way for us to enter into the presence of God. Since the believer’s sin was placed on Christ, and God’s wrath satisfied in his death, the believer need not fear the wrath of God. His conscience is cleansed with Christ’s blood so that he may go before the throne of grace with boldness.

Stanza 6

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine.

What will happen to this present world?

“The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine”?

What does that mean?

One day, the Lord will destroy the present heavens and earth.

What will then happen to all one’s earthly possessions?

All our earthly possessions, such as houses and toys and cars and money, will be destroyed too.

Does that cause sadness to the believer?

No! According to God’s promise, his people are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

What will the believer have in that new world?

The believer will have the best possession anyone could ever have—God. As the hymn says, “God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.” If I believe the promises of the Gospel, God is ours, now and forever.

What should we think of God being ours?

It is kindness that we do not deserve. It is grace—amazing grace, how sweet the sound!

Lucy Maud Montgomery

My most recent paper I have written is a biography. I chose to write about a poet by the name of Lucy Maud Montgomery. She wrote the famous Anne of Green Gables. When I was younger, I remember watching Anne of Green Gables many times! I found her to be quite interesting while reading up on her, so here is a little bit of information about her(: Actually, here is a bunch of information about her!

Enjoy

                                       

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            More Than Just a Writer

“I cannot remember the time when I was not writing, or when I did not mean to be an author.” Even as a young child Lucy Maud Montgomery longed to write and this helped her become one of Canada’s best loved authors.  Lucy Maud Montgomery came into the world on November 30, 1874, the only daughter of Hugh John Montgomery, a former sea captain, and Clara Woodener Macneill, lived in the beautiful village of Clifton located on Prince Edward Island, Canada (Lucy Maud Montgomery). Montgomery named Lucy after her grandmother, and Maud after Queen Elizabeth’s daughter, hated being called Lucy. She preferred the name Maud and insisted upon it having no e attached to the end (A writer’s life). Two other of her unique characteristics included a love for cats and a talent for photography which became one of her favorite hobbies. Montgomery’s works, influenced by her love of nature and her childhood on a farm became loved by the world. During her life, Lucy Maud Montgomery added to the meaning of quality literature and fine poetry, and has shown that one who works hard can fulfill their dreams.

From the start, Montgomery’s childhood and early years prepared her for the famous works she would write, which have inspired and delighted all ages. At twenty-one months, her mother died and her father, grief stricken, sent her to live with her maternal grandparents who lived in Cavendish. After sending Maud to her grandparents, Hugh moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, located in West Canada, to find work and later married Mary Anne McCrae (A Writer’s Life). Montgomery’s Presbyterian grandparents owned a post office in Cavendish and lived on a farm. That farm later became her inspiration for Anne of Green Gables. As Presbyterians, the Macneills regularly attended Cavendish Presbyterian Church and although Lucy Montgomery found the services boring, she enjoyed dressing up in her best and reciting scripture. As a child, she spent many of her days playing in the emerald field, picking berries, fishing, and collecting shells. Through her fun however, she had a growing introspect and a sensitive nature. Despite her young age when her mother died, Montgomery still had vivid memories of that sad day. Because of heart ache after losing her mother and sensitive nature, people teasing or singling her out horrified her. At the age of five she almost died do to typhoid fever, but otherwise remained very healthy. Surrounded by the beautiful countryside, she appreciated nature and loved doing activities outdoors. Montgomery had a habit of naming places she came in contact with, such as naming a forest the “haunted wood” or a lake “the lake of shining waters.” When she turned six, Montgomery started attending Cavendish school house located close to her grandparents’ house. Having already learned to read at home she had no problem with the second reader and would voraciously read magazines, Han’s Christian Anderson’s fairy tales and whatever else she could lay her hands on. She would also read works of poetry by Long Fellow, Tennyson, and John Bunyan (Lucy Maud Montgomery). Montgomery had access to more books than usual for that era (L.M. Montgomery Research Center). Lucy, quite early in her life showed her gift of writing and took advantage of her childhood to cultivate and grow that gift.

Determination and the desire to become a writer helped Montgomery in her next stage of life to pursue her dream. Even at a young age, Lucy aspired to become a writer and where others may have given up, she kept persisting in writing and submitting her works to newspapers and articles even if it took three tries to publish one composition. She began by writing only hymns at first, but soon after, she began writing poems as well. At age fifteen, Montgomery took her first train ride in 1889 with her grandfather to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in West Canada. There, for the first time, she saw her father’s new wife, Mary Anne McCrae (A Writer’s Life). For a year, Montgomery stayed with her father and stepmother while attending high school. During this time, she submitted her poem based on the legend of Cape Leforce to the newspaper called The Patriot. This became the first of her many poems published all over the country (Lucy Maud Montgomery). Although she loved her father, she greatly disliked her stepmother’s and mistreatment and homesickness for Prince Edward Island made Montgomery return to her homeland in 1891. This became the last time she would ever see her father as he died only a few years later (A Writer’s Life). Later on, in 1893, Lucy Montgomery earned her teaching degree while attending Prince of Whales College in Charlottetown. For Lucy, this opened up a teaching job and she took it teaching year-long in the number six, one-room school house in Bideford. After that, she decided to attend Dalhousie University located in Nova Scotia to become further educated and began teaching in Belmont. In 1896, Montgomery became engaged to her cousin, Edwin Simpson; however, she did not marry him. During these years, she had almost given up her dream of becoming a writer. Although she tried publishing her stories and poems, nine out of ten would come back rejected. She did not give up. Her first published work, a short story, earned her five dollars and became printed in the Philadelphia Publication (Lucy Maud Montgomery). Lucy, in 1901, started working for a newspaper called the Echo in Halifax. She had to find mistakes and pre-write articles before sending them to the publisher. This did not last long though and in 1902, she left and traveled back to Cavendish to take care and look after her grandmother (Writer’s life). Although Montgomery had become preoccupied with her grandmother, she still found some time to write poems. Many of the poems that she composed, which add up to more than five hundred, usually describe the woods or seashore or hinted of the outdoors which she greatly loved.  Although some of her poems did talk about other matters, having grown up on the beautiful Prince Edward Island greatly inspired and helped shaped the ideas behind most of her poetry. She once wrote, “I believed in myself and I struggled on alone, in secrecy and silence. I never told my ambitions and efforts and failures to anyone. Down, deep down, under all discouragement and rebuff, I knew I would ‘arrive’ someday” (A Writer’s Life). Montgomery struggled to fulfill her childhood dream but through much hard work, it would eventually come true.

Later on in her life, Montgomery continued to accomplish much more than just publishing her own book and delighting her readers by the wonderful character she created; she also began a family. Montgomery still wrote several well composed poems though her strength lay in writing rather than poetry. The poem “A Day Off” tells of two people taking a break from their work to rest in a forest by a stream and has many beautiful and accurate descriptions of the outdoors. Another piece, “Forever,” represents her other type of poetry about relationships and other such genres. Her story, Anne of Green Gables, made Montgomery famous throughout the world. Although rejected five times, in 1907, after much persistence, Montgomery succeeded in getting the book published. It became a success with people of all ages and received great amounts of fan mail including a letter from Mark Twain (Lucy Maud Montgomery Biography). “Well, I’ve written my book! The dream dreamed years ago at the old brown desk in school has come true at last after years of toil and struggle,” Montgomery triumphantly stated after receiving a printed copy of her first book. Because of this success, articles and newspapers that had once turned her down now requested stories from her (A Writer’s life). During her life, Lucy Montgomery penned twenty-four books, five hundred and thirty short stories, and over five hundred poems. Her greatest achivement, Anne of Green Gables, later became translated into over twenty languages and was one of the first English novels to become translated in Japanese. After this famous book, Montgomery was elected into the Literary and Artistic Institute of France, an honor because few women or people outside of France became members. Six months later, she became an officer in the order of the Britain Empire and was given a medal by King George the fifth. However, Lucy Montgomery’s life did not just consist of writing and poetry; she had another life as well. While her grandmother still lived, Lucy had taken care of her and could not do much else. She had however become secretly engaged to Ewen Macdonald, a local minister. After her grandmother died, Lucy no longer had any family obligations and later married Ewen Macdonald with whom she had two children, Stuart and Chester. She would write in the mornings and spend time with her boys or do church work the rest of the day. By 1914 Montgomery’s income had increased to twelve thousand and later grew up to forty-six thousand.  However, she had troubles later on with her publisher wanting to sue her for changing to another publisher, her husband getting headaches and depression, and her own physical decay. She eventually had to have all of her teeth pulled because they caused her too much pain. In 1925, Montgomery and her family moved to Norval, Ontario where her husband became a minister at the Presbyterian Church. During this time Lucy Montgomery wrote a book called Magic for Marigold. Five years later Ewan’s health quickly started to deteriorate but Montgomery managed to publish six books during this time. In 1935, Ewan retired and Montgomery bought them a house in Toronto. This house became her last and her career ended here (A Writer’s Life). Even later in her life Montgomery continued to keep busy and pursue her passion, writing, and stopped writing only a few years before her death.

Montgomery never knew how popular her characters would become and that musicals, plays, and movies would come of her hard work. She is one of Canada’s most well-known and enduring authors (Lucy Maud Montgomery Biography). She once said, “I cannot remember the time when I was not writing, or when I did not mean to be and author. To write has always been my central purpose around which every effort and hope and ambition of my life has grouped itself” (A Writer’s Life). This described Lucy Montgomery’s dream, which did not come true easily. However, she would not give up easily and succeeded in the end. Growing up on beautiful Prince Edward Island, her love for the outdoors became evident through her works. They inspired and defined her poetry style. During her later part of her life, Montgomery had breakdowns and her health slowly declined and on April 24, 1942, the poet and famed author died (Lucy Maud Montgomery Biography). Lucy Maud Montgomery’s  stories and poems, however,  continue to live on, reminding all fans and readers of the great legacy she has left

                           

                             Here is the power point I made to go with it

Author Biography

 In my English class we finished reading short stories written by various authors. After that, we had to pick an author whose writing we liked then write a bio on him.

I picked Doyle, the writer of the famous Sherlock Holmes stories!

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Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle

“The unexpected has happened so continually in my life that it has ceased to deserve the name (qtd. Good Reads).” Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle lived a singular life and, due to his many professions, accomplished much. He attributes a large amount of his writing success to his mother’s early influence. Arthur Conan Doyle was born on May 22, 1859 in Edinburgh Scotland. Seventy-one years later, he died on July 6,1930 in Crowborough, Sussex, England. His mother, Mary, taught Doyle to be a gentleman and sparked his love for words with her animated story telling. Doyle remembered, "In my early childhood, as far as I can remember anything at all, the vivid stories she [my mother] would tell me stand out so clearly that they obscure the real facts of my life (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Biography).” One of these facts included an alcoholic father who held the position of architect as well as painter (Arthur Conan Doyle Biography). Doyle’s mother helped create his life story, which later allowed him to design stories of his own.

On his ninth birthday, Doyle, funded by rich Doyle family members, was sent to England and put into a Jesuit boarding school. He spent seven miserable years there rebelling against the brutal and corporal punishment dealt at his school. The Doyle family tradition would have it that Arthur would become a painter, but he was otherwise influenced to pursue medicine by a border taken in by his mother, Dr. Bryan Walker. (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Biography).  In 1876, after leaving the Jesuit boarding school and graduating from Stonyhurst College, Doyle started his medical studies at Edinburgh University.  Between 1878 and 1880, while at the university, he found time to publish and write stores. In his third year as a student, Doyle worked on a ship as a surgeon for two years and then went back to school and received his doctorate in 1885. After marrying Louisa Hawkins, Doyle decided to start practicing medicine at Southsea England and did so from 1882to1890. His business was small because he turned some of his attention to writing since his early story Habakkuk Jephson’s Statement was a success. In March of 1891, Doyle, and his family moved to London where he started practicing ophthalmology (Arthur Conan Doyle Biography). After Doyle’ first wife died, he remarried, and became involved in spiritualism. Because of the influence he had from spiritualism, he wrote a series of articles about his new faith. During his life, Doyle participated as a doctor in a few battles, including the Beor war (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Biography). Doyle was a busy man as he juggled the role of doctor, ophthalmologist, father, husband and writer.  All of this played a role in preparing him for his writing success.

Though Doyle changed jobs throughout his life, writing was his major occupation during his later years. However, his medical careers prepared him for his greatest works. After an influenza attack, which almost killed Doyle, he stop working in medical field and began to pursue writing as an occupation. His stories were based off the scenes he saw while in battle. As he was a doctor himself, he created Dr. Watson, perfectly writing explicit and accurate details of medical life into practice. His medical background came out in his compelling and detailed writing. His most prominent works included Sir Niguel, Study in Scarlet, and The Hound of the Baskervilles (Arthur Conan Doyle Biography). After coming home from the Beor war, Doyle was knighted by King Edward VII for the services he had done for England. Sir Arthur was always restless and on the move, which was probably how he became inspired to write his famous stories (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Biography). This great author provided well-developed, spell-binding stories still popular today that have greatly contributed to mystery fiction.