Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who first appeared in publication in 1887. He was devised by British author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A brilliant London-based detective, Holmes is famous for his prowess at using logic and astute observation to solve cases. He is perhaps the most famous fictional detective, and indeed one of the best known and most universally recognizable literary characters. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote four novels and fifty-six short-stories featuring his creation. Almost all were narrated by Holmes' friend and biographer, Dr John H. Watson, with the exception of two narrated by Holmes himself and two more written in the third person. The stories first appeared in magazine serialization, notably in The Strand Magazine, over a period of forty years. This was a common form of publication at the time: Charles Dickens' works were issued in a similar fashion. The stories cover a period from around 1878 up to 1903, with a final case in 1914. They are read as much for their characterization and the stylised late-Victorian era in which they take place as for the mysteries themselves. It is my business to know what other people don't know." ―" The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle More actors have portrayed Sherlock Holmes than any other character, and by 1964, according to a report in The Times, the worldwide sales of the stories were running second only to the Bible. ![]() Little is known of Holmes' early life or his family background, save that his grandmother was a sister of the French artist Vernet. An estimate of Holmes's age in " His Last Bow" places his year of birth at 1854 the story, set in August 1914, describes him as 60 years of age. It is also known that in his younger years, Holmes attended at least one of the country's leading universities. though it cannot be ascertained whether he was an alumnus of Oxford, Cambridge, or both. Sherlock has an older brother, Mycroft, whom the younger Holmes considered to be more intellectually gifted than himself. Mycroft spent much of his life in Her Majesty's Secret Service. In " The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter", Sherlock refers to Mycroft as being "even years senior". If Sherlock date of birth of 1854 is correct, that places Mycroft's date of birth as 1847.Īt the age of 20, Holmes was to find his life's calling. ![]() For it was in that year that he began his illustrious career as the world's first consulting detective, taking his first case.which his future friend and companion Dr John Watson would come to title, in his chronicles of Holmes' endeavours, " The Adventure of the Gloria Scott". His study of science at university having informed his already keen mind and powers of observation, Holmes employed a process of deductive reasoning in his work, with great success. In early 1881 he is presented as an independent student of chemistry with a variety of very curious side-interests, almost all of which turn out to be single-mindedly bent towards making him superior at solving crimes. In another early story, "The Adventure of the Gloria Scott", more background on what caused Holmes to become a detective is presented: a college friend's father complimented him very highly on his deductive skills. In A Study in Scarlet, Dr Watson makes an evaluation of Sherlock's skills: In " The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter", Holmes states that his grandmother was the sister of the French painter "Vernet" (presumably Horace Vernet). ![]() Knowledge of Geology – Practical, but limited.Well up in belladonna, opium, and poisons generally. Tells at a glance different soils from each other. Knowledge of Sensationalism – Immense.Knowledge of Anatomy – Accurate, but unsystematic.After walks, has shown me splashes upon his trousers, and told me by their colour and consistence in what part of London he had received them. Has a good practical knowledge of British law.Is an expert singlestick player, boxer, and swordsman.He appears to know every detail of every horror perpetrated in the century. Later stories make clear, however, that the above list is misleading, and that Holmes, who has just met Watson, is pulling Watson's leg. Two examples: despite Holmes' supposed ignorance of politics, in " A Scandal in Bohemia" he immediately recognises the true identity of the supposed Count von Kramm as Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Feldstein and hereditary King of Bohemia. Regarding non-sensational literature, his speech is replete with references to the Bible, Shakespeare, and even Goethe.
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