The Man Behind Sherlock Holmes
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a Scottish physician and prolific writer most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes. These stories were generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction. Sherlock Holmes, the creation of novelist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, first appeared in publication in 1887. Mystery readers throughout the decades have learned of the British detective's deductive prowess through 56 short stories and four novels, narrated by Holmes' friend, side-kick, and biographer, Dr. John H. Watson.
Sherlock Holmes stories appeared in London's Strand magazine in serial form over the course of forty years. This was a common form of publication in the late 19th century and many authors, including Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, debuted their work in such media.
Was Sherlock Holmes a real person? Not exactly, but Dr. Joseph Bell, the man who inspired the character of Sherlock Holmes shared many qualities with the famous detective. Sherlock Holmes appeared originally in 60 stories. The mystique of Sherlock continues today with major universities maintaining websites on Holmes, series spinoffs with Holmes taking a wife and movie and television episodes.
Websites: Sherlock Holmes on the Web
Sherlock Holmes: A Profile of the World's Most Famous Detective
Databases from the Library:
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