| RefNo | ACS/1/3/1/4 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from [Alan Archibald] Campbell Swinton, F. R. S., Bruxelles, to The Editor, Sunday Times [newspaper cutting] |
| Creator | Swinton; Alan Archibald Campbell (1863-1930; British electrical engineer |
| Date | 26 September 1926 |
| Description | Identifies an innacuracy in a previous issue of 19 September, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrongly claimed that the Combermere photograph was given to him by the Combermere family. States that the photograph was in fact given to him by the present Lord Combermere, through a mutual lady friend. Informs that the present Lord Combermere, with whom he happens to be travelling at present, was only four years old when his grandfather, the alleged ghost, died, and as he tells Swinton, of whom he has no personal recollection and does not remember anything about the photograph being taken. Further states that he has been told that the writing on the back on the photograph indicating that it is his grandfather is merely a supposition.
Explains that there are several potential defects that may have resulted in the image looking the way it does, confirmed by photographic experts and all fellows of the Royal Society. Clarifies his position on challenging Conan Doyle to have the photograph reproduced, bringing up the quotes from other publications in which Conan Doyle claimed the image will not reproduce. Concludes that 'Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, thereofre, appears not only to forget what he has written, but has further the audacity to accuse me of inventing one of his own published statements.' |
| Extent | 1p |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8285 | Swinton; Alan Archibald Campbell (1863 - 1930); electrical engineer | 1863 - 1930 |