Sherlock Holmes

Click & drag on the right to inspect 221b.

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional private detective created by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Known as a 'consulting detective' in the stories, Holmes is known for a proficiency with observation, forensic science, and logical reasoning that borders on the fantastic, which he employs when investigating cases for a wide variety of clients, including Scotland Yard. Amongst other foibles, Holmes had a penchant for papier maché.

First appearing in print in 1887 in 'A Study in Scarlet', the character's popularity became widespread with the first series of short stories in The Strand Magazine, beginning with 'A Scandal in Bohemia' in 1891. Additional tales appeared from then until 1927, eventually totalling four novels and 56 short stories.

All but one are set in the Victorian or Edwardian periods, taking place between about 1880 to 1914. Most are narrated by the character of Holmes's friend and biographer Dr. Watson, who usually accompanies Holmes during his investigations and often shares quarters with him at the address of 221B Baker Street, London, where many of the stories begin.



Watson

Dr John H. Watson is a medical doctor, formerly in the British Army. He is arguably the only friend and confidant of Sherlock Holmes. In the debut Holmes story 'A Study in Scarlet', Watson, as the narrator, describes;

  • meeting Holmes
  • their subsequent sharing of rooms at 221B Baker Street
  • his attempts to discover the profession of his taciturn companion
  • Holmes's eventual taking of Watson into his confidence
  • and the events surrounding their first case together.


Watson describes Holmes and his methods in too romantic and sentimental a manner for Holmes' taste. In time, they become close friends. In 'The Sign of Four', John Watson met Mary Morstan, who became his wife. Mary seemed somewhat less sure of her husband, however, absentmindedly calling him 'James' in the short story 'The Man With the Twisted Lip'.

This may be a simple typographical error, though some have speculated that it is a wifely reference to Watson's unknown middle name, which could have been 'Hamish' (Scottish for 'James'). Dorothy Sayers, creator of the detective Lord Peter Wimsey, who also wrote several essays on Holmesian speculation, later publishing this theory in 'Unpopular Opinions'.