Arthur Twidle

Arthur Twidle's name is probably best known for his connections with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes. On the death of Sidney Paget, Twidle became one of Doyle's regular artists, illustrating many of his later works and providing the illustrations for the Author's Edition of Doyle's work. He also produced cartoons to aid W. T. Stead with his campaign to abolish war. He was a prolific illustrator for Boy's Own Paper, particularly historical subjects. According to a very brief obituary in The Times, "Mr. Twidle did most of his work in black-and-white and water-colour he exhibited paintings in oils at the Royal Academy and was well known for his mural paintings, panels and pastels."

Born in Rotherhithe, Surrey, in 1864, Arthur Twidle was the son of Alfred Twidle (a journeyman cooper) and his wife Rachel (nee Smith), who had married in 1855. The couple had at least five children: Rachel (c.1856- ), Alfred (1859- ), Emily (1862- ), Arthur and Clara (1870- ).

Twidle's mother died in 1879, aged 44, when Arthur was around 14 years of age, and in 1881, Twidle was living with his uncle, Thomas H. Morris, who also worked as a cooper. Aged 16, his occupation was described as draughtsman in wood.

On 11 July 1885, Twidle married Annie Elizabeth Mason at St. Olave, Southwark, and by 1891, the family—now including Annie Elizabeth (1887- ) and Arthur (1888- )—were living in Dulwich.

Ten years later, they were residing in Bromley, Kent, and Twidle was doing well enough to employ a domestic servant.

Over a period of many years, illustrations by Twidle appeared in Annie S. Swan's Magazine, The Strand, The Red Magazine, The Girl's Own Paper, and elsewhere.

In the 1930s, Twidle was living at The Rowans, Godstone Green, Surrey. He died on 26 April 1936 at the age of 71, having been ill since Christmas.

Books
Beautiful Butterflies of the Tropics. How to collect them. London, R.T.S., 1920.

Illustrated Books
Ben Brightboots and other true stories, hymns & music by the late Frances Ridley Havergal, illus. with others. London, James Nisbet & Co., 1883?
Deeds of Gold, illus. with others. London, Edward Arnold, 1892.
The Secret of the Desert; or, How We Crossed Arabia in the 'Antelope' by E. Douglas Fawcett. London, E. Arnold, 1895.
Travel-Pictures from Palestine by James Wells. London, Ibister & Co., 1896.
With the Mission to Menelik, 1897 by Lord Edward Gleichen. London, Edward Arnold, 1898.
The Day of Recompense by Silas K. Hocking. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1899.
The Log of a Sea-Waif by Frank T. Bullen. London, Smith, Elder & Co., 1899.
In Moorish Captivity. An account of the 'Tourmaline' expedition to Sus, 1897-98 by Henry M. Grey. London, Edward Arnold, 1899.
Deep-Sea Plunderings. A collection of stories of the sea by Frank T. Bullen. London, Smith, Elder & Co., 1901.
Sea-Wrack by Frank T. Buller, F.R.G.S. London, Macmillan & Co., 1903.
The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. London, Smith, Elder, 1903.
Money and the Man by Harry Marsh Ward. London, Religious Tract Society, 1903?
By Unseen Hands by Rev. Eric Lisle. London, "Sunday Companion" office, 1904.
The Flaming Sword by Silas K. Hocking. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1905.
The Squire's Daughter by Silas K. Hocking. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1906.
A Modern Pharisee by Silas K. Hocking. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1907.
The Silent Man by Silas K. Hocking. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1907.
The Quest of Douglas Holms by H. E. Inman. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1908.
The Shadow Between by Silas K. Hocking. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1908.
Yours and Mine by Silas K. Hocking. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1908.
A Desperate Hope by Silas K. Hocking. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1909.
Fags and the King by Charles Mansford. London, Jarrold & Sons, 1909.
For King or Parliament. The story of a Yorkshire roundhead by Samuel Horton. London, Robert Culley, 1909.
Brave Sons of the Empire by Henry Moore. London, Religious Tract Society, 1910.
Prefect and Fag by Charles Mansford. London, Jarrold & Sons, 1910.
The Rebellion of Margaret by Geraldine Mockler. London, Jarrold & Sons, 1910.
Scouting for a King by Ernest Protheroe. London, Jarrold & Sons, 1910.
Uncle Hal by Lady Macalister. London, Jarrold & Sons, 1910.
Hidden in Canadian Wilds by John Mackie. London, James Nisbet & Co., 1911.
The Perils of Peterkin. A story of adventure in North-West Canada by Robert Leighton. London, Jarrold & Sons, 1911.
The Quenchless Fire by Silas K. Hocking. London & New York, Frederick Warne & Co., 1911.
Jeffrey of the White Wolf Trail by J. Claverdon Wood. London, Religious Tract Society, 1912.
Junk Ahoy! A tale of the China seas by William Charles Metcalfe. London, Jarrold & Sons, 1912.
Three Boys in Antarctica by G. Warren Payne. London, Charles H. Kelly, 1912.
Canadian Jack by John Mackie. London, James Nisbet & Co., 1913.
Schoolboy Grit by Gunby Hadath. London, James Nisbet & Co., 1913.
Through Eastern Windows. Life stories of an Indian city by A. J. Marris. London, Religious Tract Society, 1919.
How the Empire Grew. The story of the British colonisation, with a chapter on the League of Nations by Harry Cooper; illus. with Alfred Pearse. London, R.T.S., 1921.
The Settler of Serpent Creek. A tale of the Canadian prairie by C. F. Argyll Saxby. London, "The Boy's Own Paper" Office, 1921.
The Good Shepherd. London, Religious Tract Society, 1924.
Bible Heroes, illus. with Arthur Dixon. London, Religious Tract Society, 1925.
Golden Tales for All by Marie L. Christlieb, illus. with Harold Copping. London, Religious Tract Society, 1926.
Twenty-six Good Stories for Girls, illus. with others. London, "The Girl's Own Paper" Office, 1926?
Come Unto Me. London, Humphrey Milford/Oxford University Press, 1934.
Jesus Calls Us. London, Humphrey Milford/Oxford University Press, 1934.
The Old Old Story, illus. with W. H. Margetson. London, Humphrey Milford/Oxford University Press, 1934.
Pictures for the Classroom, illus. with others. London, Humphrey Milford/Oxford University Press, 1934.
The Little Bible (preface signed R.E.M., W.A.B.). London, Humphrey Milford/Oxford University Press, 1935.
A Yorkshire Baking by Florence Bone. London, Religious Tract Society, 1935.