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Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was born in Edinburgh. From 1876 to 1881, he studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. While studying, he began to write short stories.
Published in 1887, 'A Study in Scarlet,' a detective novel by Scottish author Arthur Conan Doyle, marked the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The story was carried by Beeton's Christmas Annual.
After graduating, Conan Doyle set up a medical practice in Portsmouth, in 1882. It was less than successful. He opted instead to study ophthalmology in Vienna. Upon his return to London, Conan Doyle opened a small office and consulting room in Westminster, but received next to no patients. Disillusioned, he again tried his hand at writing fiction.
'A Study in Scarlet' was written in three weeks when Conan Doyle was 27 years old. He struggled to find a publisher, but eventually the story was accepted by Ward Lock & Co.
Conan Doyle was paid £25 (equivalent in 2023 of £4,157, or US$5,163) in exchange for all rights to the story. It went on to be published in several magazines and newspapers, including the November 1887 edition of Beeton's Christmas Annual.
For his fictional detective, Conan Doyle was inspired by a real-life lecturer of his at the University of Edinburgh, Dr Joseph Bell. Apparently the physician could diagnose patients simply by looking at them when they walked into his surgery.
Conan Doyle was also influenced by American writer Edgar Allan Poe's fictional sleuth, C. Auguste Dupin, who made his first appearance in Poe's 1841 short story 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue.'
Beeton's Christmas Annual, by the way, was named after the husband of Mrs Isabella Beeton, of the 'Book of Household Management' fame, and another well-known author of the Victorian era.
'A Study in Scarlet' didn't sell well. But one person who had admired the novel was Joseph Stoddart, who edited Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. During a dinner party, he convinced a crestfallen Conan Doyle to pen a second novel featuring the detective. Also present at the table was Oscar Wilde, who was encouraged by Stoddart to submit for inclusion in the same publication his only novel—'The Picture of Dorian Gray.'
Conan Doyle's second novel, 'The Sign of the Four,' was published in 1890, the same year as Wilde's 'The Picture of Dorian Gray.'
Holmes first donned his trademark deerstalker cap in 1891, when Conan Doyle's detective stories started appearing in The Strand Magazine, beginning with 'A Scandal in Bohemia.'
'A Scandal in Bohemia' features a fictional character named Irene Adler. A former opera singer and actress, she is one of the most beguiling female characters in the Sherlock Holmes series, despite appearing in only one story. Speculation continues to this day as to who the author based Adler on. Suggestions include Lola Montez (pictured), a dancer and mistress of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, and the actress Lillie Langtry, the lover of Edward, the Prince of Wales.
Contrary to popular belief, Holmes never uttered the immortal line "Elementary, my dear Watson" in any of Conan Doyle's novels, at least not together. In 'The Adventure of the Crooked Man' (1893), both of these components are included. But there are 52 words between them!
Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective was nearly called Sherrinford after the author's admiration for a cricketer who bore the name. Conan Doyle was passionate about the sport, and played for Marylebone Cricket Club between 1899 and 1907. He's pictured at age 14 with cricket bat in hand.
Conan Doyle had Sherlock Holmes residing at 221B Baker Street in London. While it's one of the most famous addresses in literature, 221B doesn't actually exist. Well, not quite. The Sherlock Holmes Museum bears the official address '221B,' though the building sits between 237 and 241 Baker Street, making it physically—if not officially—at number 239.
'The Final Problem,' published in 1893, ends with the demise of Sherlock Holmes and the criminal mastermind Professor James Moriarty, with both plunging to their deaths over the Reichenbach Falls near Meiringen, in Switzerland. However, the public outcry surrounding the sleuth's dramatic passing was such that Conan Doyle was persuaded to revive the detective for additional stories and novels.
Sherlock Homes reappeared along with Dr. Watson in 'The Hound of the Baskervilles.' Published in 1902, the story is set before the fateful confrontation with Moriarty in Switzerland and is one of the most famous novels ever written. In fact, it's regularly cited by "Sherlockians" as the best of the four Holmes books.
Published in 1905, 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes' comprised 13 Sherlock Holmes stories, originally published in 1903–1904. Included is the short story 'The Adventure of the Empty House,' the first Holmes story set after his supposed death at the Reichenbach Falls.
While his fictional detective is the reason many are familiar with Arthur Conan Doyle, few realize that his legal campaigning led to the establishment of the Court of Criminal Appeal, in 1907.
A common misconception is that Arthur Conan Doyle was knighted for his achievements in fiction. In fact, the honor was bestowed upon him for his journalistic work during the Second Boer War. He became Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1902.
According to IMDb, Sherlock Holmes is the most prolific screen character in the history of cinema. Dozens of movies and shows featuring the fictional detective have been made, the very first being 'Sherlock Holmes Baffled,' a one-reeler less than a minute long released in 1900. Pictured is Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes in 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' (1939). Rathbone is considered by many as the definitive Holmes.
One of the earliest television appearances by Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson was in the 1951 BBC miniseries 'Sherlock Holmes.' More recently, Benedict Cumberbatch starred as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson in the highly acclaimed 'Sherlock' (2010–2017).
American actor William Gillette is the thespian most associated with portraying Sherlock Holmes on stage. He first brought the character to life in the theater in 1899, his use of the deerstalker cap and the curved pipe becoming enduring symbols of the detective.
Bringing the detective right up to date, albeit in cartoon form, is 'Sherlock Gnomes.' Johnny Depp voices Sherlock Gnomes and Chiwetel Ejiofor Dr. Gnome Watson in this 3D computer-animated mystery comedy film based on Conan Doyle's literary characters.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had a longstanding interest in spiritualism and mystical subjects. This led to an unlikely friendship with Harry Houdini, whom Conan Doyle believed possessed the spiritual gift of "dematerialization" because of Houdini's remarkable gift for illusion. The pair are pictured shaking hands on the SS Adriatic as Conan Doyle prepares to depart for England after visiting the United States.
More appropriately, American actor Robert Downey Jr. portrayed the detective in the Guy Ritchie-directed picture 'Sherlock Holmes.' Jude Law played Dr. Watson. A sequel, 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,' was released in 2011, with both actors reprising their respective roles. 'Sherlock Holmes 3,' again with the same leads, still does not have a release date.
As per the books, the character of Sherlock Holmes suffers from Asperger's syndrome, bipolar disorder, and savant syndrome.
Conan Doyle originally envisaged his crime fighter as balding and lacking in good looks. It was British illustrator Sidney Paget who used his artistic license to make Holmes more attractive and refined in character—even drawing in his famous deerstalker cap. Paget's popular image of Holmes, originally unveiled in The Strand Magazine, has endured to this day.
Sherlock Holmes is asexual, with no erotic leanings towards men or women. In 'The Adventure of the Lion's Mane,' Holmes writes, "Women have seldom been an attraction to me, for my brain has always governed my heart."
Holmes' obvious indulgence is his pipe, much to Dr. Watson's dismay. But the detective occasionally turns to questionable stimulants (his choice of recreational drugs were not illegal in the 19th century). Image: Sidney Paget (1860–1908)
In 2020, Millie Bobby Brown played the teenage sister of Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill) in the Netflix film 'Enola Holmes.' In 2022, a sequel was released.
Sources: (Britannica) (Arthur Conan Doyle Official Site) (The Arthur Conan Doyle Encyclopedia)
See also: The screen's most memorable detectives
In 1887, Scottish author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created one of the most famous fictional detectives in the world: Sherlock Holmes. Originally envisaged by Doyle as a one-off, Holmes quickly became one of the most important literary characters of all time. Armed with extraordinary powers of acute deduction and observation to solve crime, the super sleuth with a penchant for pipes and deerstalker caps captured the imagination of the public around the world. But Doyle was dismissive of his music-loving gumshoe, his mind instead engaged in law and medicine. In fact, the author even tried to kill off his private investigator a few years later!
So, what prompted Conan Doyle to put pen to paper, and who was the inspiration behind Sherlock Holmes? Click through for clues and a history of the mystery.
Things you didn't know about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Sherlock Holmes'
How did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle create Sherlock Holmes?
LIFESTYLE Literature
In 1887, Scottish author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created one of the most famous fictional detectives in the world: Sherlock Holmes. Originally envisaged by Doyle as a one-off, Holmes quickly became one of the most important literary characters of all time. Armed with extraordinary powers of acute deduction and observation to solve crime, the super sleuth with a penchant for pipes and deerstalker caps captured the imagination of the public around the world. But Doyle was dismissive of his music-loving gumshoe, his mind instead engaged in law and medicine. In fact, the author even tried to kill off his private investigator a few years later!
So, what prompted Conan Doyle to put pen to paper, and who was the inspiration behind Sherlock Holmes? Click through for clues and a history of the mystery.