# The Lost World

> novel by Arthur Conan Doyle

**Wikidata**: [Q785255](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q785255)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_World_(Doyle_novel))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-lost-world-q785255-2

## Summary
*The Lost World* is a novel by Arthur Conan Doyle, published in 1912, that blends adventure fiction and science fiction. It follows Professor Challenger, a renowned explorer, as he uncovers a hidden prehistoric world in the Amazon rainforest, populated by dinosaurs and ancient humans. The novel is notable for its groundbreaking portrayal of prehistoric life and its influence on the lost world subgenre in literature.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930), British writer and physician.
- **Publication Date**: January 1, 1912.
- **Genre**: Adventure fiction, science fiction, lost world fiction.
- **Main Character**: Professor Challenger, a renowned explorer.
- **Setting**: Amazon rainforest, featuring a hidden prehistoric world.
- **Publisher**: Hodder & Stoughton, a British publishing house.
- **Country of Origin**: United Kingdom.
- **Part of Series**: *The Lost World* is the first in the *Lost World* series by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- **Followed By**: *The Poison Belt*, a novella by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- **Instance of**: Novel, literary work.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q7725634.
- **Open Library ID**: OL262460W.
- **Goodreads ID**: 128275.
- **Internet Archive ID**: 1604.
- **Standard Ebooks ID**: 5054.
- **Project Gutenberg ID**: 848.
- **Wikipedia Title**: *The Lost World (Doyle novel)*.
- **Sitelink Count**: 33 (indicating widespread recognition across language editions).

## FAQs
**What is *The Lost World* about?**
*The Lost World* follows Professor Challenger, a renowned explorer, as he discovers a hidden prehistoric world in the Amazon rainforest. The novel blends adventure and science fiction, introducing dinosaurs and ancient humans in a lost civilization.

**Who wrote *The Lost World*?**
*The Lost World* was written by Arthur Conan Doyle, a British writer and physician best known for creating Sherlock Holmes. He also contributed to the science fiction genre with this novel.

**When was *The Lost World* published?**
*The Lost World* was published on January 1, 1912, by Hodder & Stoughton, a British publishing house. It marked the debut of the lost world subgenre in literature.

**What genre does *The Lost World* belong to?**
*The Lost World* is classified as adventure fiction, science fiction, and lost world fiction. It is a subgenre of fantasy and science fiction that involves the discovery of an unknown Earth civilization.

**What is the significance of *The Lost World* in literature?**
*The Lost World* is significant for pioneering the lost world subgenre in literature. It introduced the concept of a hidden prehistoric world, influencing later works in adventure and science fiction.

**Who is Professor Challenger in *The Lost World*?**
Professor Challenger is the protagonist of *The Lost World*, a renowned explorer who uncovers a lost prehistoric world in the Amazon rainforest. His character is central to the novel’s exploration of ancient civilizations.

**What is the setting of *The Lost World*?**
The novel is set in the Amazon rainforest, where Professor Challenger discovers a hidden prehistoric world. This setting contrasts with modern civilization, emphasizing the novel’s themes of discovery and survival.

**What awards or recognitions did *The Lost World* receive?**
*The Lost World* was recognized for its groundbreaking portrayal of prehistoric life and its influence on the lost world subgenre. While no specific awards are listed, its cultural impact is well-documented.

**How does *The Lost World* differ from other works by Arthur Conan Doyle?**
Unlike Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series, *The Lost World* is a standalone adventure novel that blends science fiction with prehistoric themes. It is distinct in its focus on lost civilizations rather than detective fiction.

**What is the relationship between *The Lost World* and other novels by Arthur Conan Doyle?**
*The Lost World* is the first in the *Lost World* series by Arthur Conan Doyle. It is followed by *The Poison Belt*, another novella in the same series, continuing the themes of adventure and discovery.

## Why It Matters
*The Lost World* is a foundational work in the lost world subgenre of literature, blending adventure and science fiction to explore prehistoric civilizations. Its groundbreaking portrayal of dinosaurs and ancient humans in a hidden world influenced later works in the genre. The novel’s themes of discovery and survival resonate with readers, making it a classic of adventure fiction. Additionally, *The Lost World* reflects the cultural and scientific interests of its time, contributing to the evolution of speculative fiction. Its legacy endures in the enduring popularity of the lost world trope in modern literature and media.

## Notable For
- Pioneering the lost world subgenre in literature.
- Introducing dinosaurs and prehistoric humans in a hidden civilization.
- Being the first novel in the *Lost World* series by Arthur Conan Doyle.
- Influencing later works in adventure and science fiction.
- Blending themes of discovery and survival in a prehistoric setting.
- Reflecting the scientific and cultural interests of its time.
- Establishing Professor Challenger as a central character in adventure literature.
- Being published by Hodder & Stoughton, a notable British publisher.
- Having a significant impact on the genre of lost world fiction.

## Body
### Literary Context
*The Lost World* is a novel by Arthur Conan Doyle, published in 1912, that blends adventure fiction and science fiction. It is the first in the *Lost World* series and is notable for its groundbreaking portrayal of prehistoric life. The novel follows Professor Challenger, a renowned explorer, as he uncovers a hidden world in the Amazon rainforest, populated by dinosaurs and ancient humans. This work pioneered the lost world subgenre, influencing later literature in the genre.

### Author and Publication
Arthur Conan Doyle, a British writer and physician, wrote *The Lost World*. He is best known for creating Sherlock Holmes but also contributed to science fiction with this novel. *The Lost World* was published on January 1, 1912, by Hodder & Stoughton, a British publishing house. The novel is classified as adventure fiction, science fiction, and lost world fiction, reflecting its unique blend of genres.

### Main Characters and Setting
The protagonist of *The Lost World* is Professor Challenger, a renowned explorer who discovers a hidden prehistoric world in the Amazon rainforest. The setting contrasts modern civilization with the prehistoric landscape, emphasizing themes of discovery and survival. The novel’s setting and characters are central to its exploration of ancient civilizations.

### Genre and Influence
*The Lost World* is classified as adventure fiction, science fiction, and lost world fiction. It is a subgenre of fantasy and science fiction that involves the discovery of an unknown Earth civilization. The novel’s influence on the lost world subgenre is significant, shaping later works in adventure and science fiction.

### Legacy and Recognition
*The Lost World* is recognized for its groundbreaking portrayal of prehistoric life and its influence on the lost world subgenre. While no specific awards are listed, its cultural impact is well-documented. The novel’s legacy endures in the enduring popularity of the lost world trope in modern literature and media.

### Related Works
*The Lost World* is followed by *The Poison Belt*, another novella by Arthur Conan Doyle. Both works are part of the *Lost World* series, continuing the themes of adventure and discovery. The series is notable for its exploration of lost civilizations and prehistoric themes.

### Technical Identifiers
*The Lost World* is associated with several technical identifiers, including:
- **Wikidata ID**: Q7725634.
- **Open Library ID**: OL262460W.
- **Goodreads ID**: 128275.
- **Internet Archive ID**: 1604.
- **Standard Ebooks ID**: 5054.
- **Project Gutenberg ID**: 848.
- **Wikipedia Title**: *The Lost World (Doyle novel)*.
- **Sitelink Count**: 33 (indicating widespread recognition across language editions).

### Cultural and Historical Significance
*The Lost World* reflects the scientific and cultural interests of its time, contributing to the evolution of speculative fiction. Its themes of discovery and survival resonate with readers, making it a classic of adventure fiction. The novel’s legacy endures in the enduring popularity of the lost world trope in modern literature and media.

## References

1. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [The lost world by Arthur Conan Doyle | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL262460W/The_Lost_World?edition=key%3A/books/OL43177171M)
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute