# His Last Bow

> collection of short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle

**Wikidata**: [Q733582](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q733582)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/His_Last_Bow)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/his-last-bow

## Summary
*His Last Bow* is a collection of short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, published in 1917, marking the final Sherlock Holmes stories written by the author. It follows *The Valley of Fear* (1915) and precedes *The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes* (1927), completing the official canon of 56 short stories and four novels. The collection features eight stories, including "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot," and maintains the classic Holmesian formula of deduction and mystery.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: Arthur Conan Doyle
- **Published**: 1917 (January 1, 1915 according to Wikidata)
- **Publisher**: George H. Doran Company
- **Country of Origin**: United Kingdom
- **Language**: English
- **Genre**: Detective fiction, crime fiction
- **Series**: Canon of Sherlock Holmes (final collection of short stories)
- **Number of Stories**: 8 short stories
- **Preceded by**: *The Valley of Fear* (novel, 1915)
- **Followed by**: *The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes* (collection, 1927)
- **Instance of**: Literary work
- **Part of Series**: Canon of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes stories
- **Publication Date**: January 1, 1917
- **ISBN**: 15277 (Open Library)
- **OCLC Number**: 194169
- **Project Gutenberg ID**: 2350
- **Standard Ebooks URL**: https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/arthur-conan-doyle/his-last-bow
- **Wikidata Description**: Collection of short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle
- **Sitelink Count**: 35
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /m/02t60f
- **Open Library ID**: XX1953745
- **PDF Available**: Arthur Conan Doyle - His Last Bow (George H. Doran Company, 1917).pdf
- **Dewey Decimal Classification**: 305.0
- **Library of Congress Control Number**: 194169
- **Title in Spanish**: His Last Bow
- **Goodreads ID**: 2350
- **LibraryThing Work ID**: 8685

## FAQs
**What is *His Last Bow* about?**
*His Last Bow* is a collection of eight Sherlock Holmes short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, published in 1917. The stories feature the famous detective and Dr. Watson solving various mysteries, maintaining the classic Holmesian formula of deduction and crime-solving. The collection includes notable cases like "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot," which involves a mysterious foot found in a London park.

**How does *His Last Bow* fit into the Sherlock Holmes canon?**
*His Last Bow* is the final collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle, following *The Valley of Fear* (1915) and preceding *The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes* (1927). It completes the official canon of 56 short stories and four novels, marking the end of Doyle's direct involvement in the series.

**What makes *His Last Bow* unique among Sherlock Holmes works?**
The collection is unique for being the last set of stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle, who had previously killed off Sherlock Holmes in "The Final Problem" (1893) before reviving him in *The Return of Sherlock Holmes* (1905). *His Last Bow* maintains the high standards of plotting and characterization established in earlier Holmes stories while serving as a fitting conclusion to the series.

**Who published *His Last Bow* and when?**
*His Last Bow* was published in 1917 by George H. Doran Company, an American publisher active between 1908 and 1927 before merging with what is now Doubleday Publishers. The collection was released as a standalone work but is considered part of the larger Sherlock Holmes canon.

**What are the main themes explored in *His Last Bow*?**
The stories in *His Last Bow* explore themes of justice, deduction, and the battle between order and criminal chaos, typical of Sherlock Holmes tales. Each story features Holmes using his powers of observation and deductive reasoning to solve complex cases, showcasing the detective's enduring appeal.

## Why It Matters
*His Last Bow* represents the final chapter in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series, marking the end of the author's direct involvement in the character's adventures. The collection is significant because it completes the official canon of 56 short stories and four novels, providing a definitive conclusion to Holmes's literary legacy. The stories in *His Last Bow* maintain the high standards of plotting and characterization established in earlier works, ensuring that the series ends on a strong note. As the final collection, *His Last Bow* serves as a fitting farewell to one of literature's most iconic detectives, leaving a lasting impact on the detective fiction genre. The collection's themes of justice and deduction continue to resonate with readers, ensuring its enduring relevance in popular culture.

## Notable For
- Being the final collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle
- Completing the official canon of 56 short stories and four novels
- Featuring iconic cases like "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot"
- Maintaining the high standards of plotting and characterization established in earlier Holmes works
- Serving as a definitive conclusion to Sherlock Holmes's literary legacy
- Being published by George H. Doran Company, a significant American publisher of the early 20th century
- Having a sitelink count of 35, indicating significant online presence and reference usage
- Being available in multiple digital formats, including Project Gutenberg and Standard Ebooks

## Body

### Publication and Publication History
*His Last Bow* was published in 1917 by George H. Doran Company, an American publishing firm that operated from 1908 to 1927 before merging with what became Doubleday Publishers. The collection was released as a standalone work but is considered part of the larger Sherlock Holmes canon. It follows *The Valley of Fear* (a novel published in 1915) and precedes *The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes* (a collection published in 1927). The publication date is recorded as January 1, 1917, though the exact release date may have varied by region.

### Narrative Structure and Content
*His Last Bow* consists of eight short stories, each featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson solving a unique mystery. The collection maintains the classic Holmesian formula of presenting a mystery, developing through Watson's narration, and resolving through Holmes's brilliant deductions. Notable stories include "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot," which involves a mysterious foot found in a London park, and "The Adventure of the Creeping Man," which features a sinister figure stalking the streets of London.

### Place in the Sherlock Holmes Canon
As the final collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories, *His Last Bow* holds a significant position in the detective's literary legacy. It is part of the official canon that consists of 56 short stories and four novels, all written by Arthur Conan Doyle. The collection follows *The Valley of Fear* (1915) and precedes *The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes* (1927), marking the end of Doyle's direct involvement in the series.

### Literary Classification and Genre
*His Last Bow* is classified as both detective fiction and crime fiction, subgenres that Doyle helped popularize and define. The collection combines elements of the locked-room mystery, art theft, and political intrigue, demonstrating Doyle's versatility as a writer and his ability to maintain reader interest through varied narrative techniques.

### Publication Identifiers and Cataloging
The collection has been assigned multiple identifiers for cataloging and reference purposes. These include an Open Library ID of XX1953745, an OCLC number of 194169, and a Project Gutenberg ID of 2350, indicating its availability in digital formats. The Standard Ebooks project has also produced a professionally formatted digital edition available at https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/arthur-conan-doyle/his-last-bow. The book is cataloged under the title "His Last Bow" with the Wikidata description "collection of short stories by Arthur Conan Doyle."

### Relationship to Other Works
*His Last Bow* follows *The Valley of Fear*, a novel published in 1915, and precedes *The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes*, a collection published in 1927. This placement in the publication chronology shows Doyle's transition from novel-length works back to shorter formats in his later career. The collection also connects to the broader Sherlock Holmes series through recurring themes of justice, deduction, and the battle between order and criminal chaos.

### Cultural and Historical Context
Published in 1917, *His Last Bow* appeared during a period of significant social and political change. The early 20th century saw growing concerns about organized crime, labor relations, and international connections between criminal organizations. Doyle's inclusion of these themes in the final Holmes stories reflects the public's fascination with justice and the battle against criminal chaos. The collection's themes of deduction and the power of reason also resonated with contemporary audiences dealing with the social upheavals of the pre-World War I era.

### Digital Preservation and Modern Availability
*His Last Bow* has been preserved in multiple digital formats, ensuring its availability to modern readers. The work is available through:
- **Project Gutenberg**: ID 2350, making it freely accessible to readers worldwide
- **Standard Ebooks**: A professionally formatted digital edition available at https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/arthur-conan-doyle/his-last-bow
- **Open Library**: ID XX1953745, providing bibliographic information and lending capabilities
- **OCLC**: Number 194169, facilitating library cataloging and interlibrary loan

These digital presences ensure that new generations of readers can access this landmark collection, contributing to the ongoing relevance of Sherlock Holmes in popular culture.

### Conclusion
*His Last Bow* stands as a fitting conclusion to Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series, representing the final chapter in the detective's literary legacy. The collection's eight stories have entertained and influenced readers for over a century, cementing Sherlock Holmes's position as the definitive detective in world literature. Through its digital preservation and ongoing adaptations, *His Last Bow* continues to engage new audiences while remaining faithful to the classic elements that have made the Holmes canon enduringly popular.

## References

1. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
2. MusicBrainz
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013