Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes (1854–1957, according to William S. Baring-Gould) is a fictional detective of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, created by British author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes is famous for his prowess at using logic and astute observation to solve cases.

Related Topics:
1854 - 1957 - William S. Baring-Gould - Fictional - Detective - 19th - 20th centuries - British - Author - Physician - Arthur Conan Doyle - Logic - Observation

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Sherlock Holmes describes himself as a "consulting detective", an expert who is brought into cases that have proven too difficult for other investigators; we are told that he is often able to solve a problem without leaving his home. Naturally, this aspect is minimized in the stories themselves, which tend to focus on the more interesting cases which require him to do actual legwork. He specializes in solving unusual cases using his extraordinary powers of observation and logical reasoning, and frequently demonstrates these powers to new clients by making on the spot observations about their personalities and their recent activities. This rarely fails to impress (see below).

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle credits the inception of Holmes on his teacher at the medical school of Edinburgh University, the gifted surgeon and forensic detective Joseph Bell, forensic science being a new field at the time. However, some years later Bell wrote to Conan Doyle: "you are yourself Sherlock Holmes and well you know it" (Baring-Gould, p. 8). The 'Sherlock Holmes' name was derived from a pair of cricketers – however some early notes give his name as Sherrinford Holmes. "Holmes" was named after Oliver Wendell Holmes, whom Conan Doyle admired, and an English cricketer named Sherlock.

Related Topics:
Edinburgh University - Joseph Bell - Forensic science - Cricket - Oliver Wendell Holmes

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