Joseph Bell

Joseph Bell (1837-1911) was a lecturer at the medical school of Edinburgh University in the 19th century. In his instruction, he emphasized the importance of close observation in making a diagnosis. To illustrate this, he would often pick a stranger and, by observing him, deduce his occupation and recent activities. These skills cause him to be considered a pioneer in forensic science (forensic pathology in particular) in a time when science was not often used in the investigations of crimes.

Related Topics:
1837 - 1911 - Edinburgh University - 19th century - Forensic science - Forensic pathology

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle met Bell in 1877, and served as his clerk at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh. The Sherlock Holmes character is loosely based on Joseph Bell. Dr Bell was aware of this inspiration and took some pride in it.

Related Topics:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - 1877 - Royal Infirmary - Edinburgh - Sherlock Holmes

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Dr Bell also served as personal surgeon to Queen Victoria whenever she visited Scotland. During his lifetime he published several medical textbooks.

Related Topics:
Queen Victoria - Scotland

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The BBC television series Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes was a fictionalised account of Doyle's time as Bell's clerk, which made the degree to which Holmes was based on Dr Bell closer than it was in reality (with Doyle serving as Dr. Watson). In it, Dr Bell was played by Ian Richardson.

Related Topics:
BBC - Television - Dr. Watson - Ian Richardson

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In July 2005, Stone Publishing House published a book aimed at schoolchildren titled "Dr Joseph Bell ? the original Sherlock Holmes". Illustrated by Cheryl Ives, it was written by Kent historian Dr Robert Hume, who had previously authored books about Christopher Columbus and Perkin Warbeck.

Related Topics:
Robert Hume - Christopher Columbus - Perkin Warbeck

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