Sherlock Holmes
is a character from books written by
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
. His most famous story was
The Hound of the Baskervilles
.
Sherlock Holmes was "born" on 6th January 1861
[
source?
]
, and for more than 100 years his name has been known in every country of the world; and not only his name, but his
appearance
too. The hawk-like features and piercing eyes; the dressing-gown and
pipe
; the unusual cap and
magnifying glass
- these details are so familiar that if he were to appear amongst us today we should know him at once.
Many of the stories were made into
movies
and
television
dramas
. He is a
detective
who tries to find out who committed
crimes
. There is a monument in London dedicated to him. He has a sharp mind and solves even the most difficult and strange cases. He works with his friend Dr. Watson, a
retired
army officer
. Holmes plays the violin and smokes a pipe. He is very smart. He first appeared in 1887 and is known for his detective skills. Sometimes he takes
cocaine
and
morphine
.
In the story
The Sign of Four
, the first part is titled "The
Science
of
Deduction
". Dr. Watson admires Sherlock Holmes attention to detail and Holmes explains the importance of details that appear unimportant but can be crucial in solving a mystery. This was the first time he met with Dr. Watson, his co-detective in the year 1887.
In the second part of the story
A Study in Scarlet
, Sherlock Holmes's method is explained in detail. He is the only Consulting Detective in the world and his "science of detection" is based on
analysis
and
deduction
, figuring things out from things he already knows. He is especially good at backwards reasoning (
inference
or abduction). From the scratches around on an old watch, he decides the man drinks a lot; in another case seeing the man's clothes are respectable but worn, he thinks the man was once successful, but has fallen on hard times and
taken to drink.
Sherlock Holmes does not know a lot about
literature
,
philosophy
,
astronomy
and
politics
but he knows a lot about
chemistry
. He also seems to know every detail of every horror that took place in the 19th century. But from the first interaction with Dr. Watson we could infer that he is very good in
botany
,
geology
and sensational literature.
Mycroft Holmes is Sherlock Holmes' brother. He works for the
government
and according to Sherlock, his brother Mycroft's powers of deduction are even better than his own, and often Mycroft's word has decided
national
policy. Sometimes, Sherlock goes to his brother to ask for
advice
on some little problem. In Sherlock's own words, Mycroft is the
British government
.
Professor
James Moriarty
is Sherlock Holmes' arch enemy (chief enemy). Moriarty commits many crimes. He is a
mathematical
genius
and worked at a small English
university
, before he quit and moved to
London
. There he became the center of
organized crime
(the mob) and the object of Sherlock Holmes's investigative power who considered the professor his intellectual equal. Sherlock Holmes vs (against) Moriarty represents one of the greatest battles of wits (shrewdness, intelligence, smartness) in the history of the world. Holmes spoke often of Moriarty's genius in admiration in spite of (not considering) the horror of the crimes. He spoke well of Moriarty without taking into consideration the evil side of his nature. Among Holmes other foes is Moriarty's Chief
assassin
Colonel Sebastian Moran ["The Adventure of the Empty House']; Dr Grimesby Roylott; ["The Adventure of the Speckled Band'']; Roger Baskerville aka Jack Stapleton ["The Hound of the Baskervilles"]; Charles Augustus Milverton ["The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton"]; John Clay ["The Adventure of the Red headed League''] and Irene Adler ["A Scandal in Bohemia"]
His landlady Mrs. Hudson who was genuinely fond of him.
He showed his attentiveness to Violet Hunter
[
source?
]
. He was courteous and considerate to all women.
He posed as a plumber in his wooing (
courtship
) of Charles Augustus Millerton's
housemaid
.
He was never really involved emotionally with a woman. In his own words, "I have never loved..."
[1]
In
A Scandal in Bohemia", the only case in which he fails, appears the only woman he considered his equal intellectually and the only woman who ever defeated him. Her name is Irene Adler. She was born in
New Jersey
and was an
opera
singer
. She had a love affair (
romance
) with the king of Bohemia.
With the exception of stories published by his assistant Dr John H Watson, Holmes' name rarely appears in newspapers in connection with a case [i.e. A Study in Scarlet being the exception]. He has however accepted several honors during his lifetime. His most significant award to be received is the
Legion of Honor
decoration from the French Government for capturing an assassin. From Queen Victoria he declined a knighthood but accepted an emerald tiepin. From the Hereditary King of Bohemia he received an antique gold snuffbox. From the royal family of the Netherlands he received an expensive ring.
Some Sherlock Holmes books are: