These Are the Real-Life People Who Inspired the Character of Sherlock Holmes

The most famous literary detective out there is undoubtedly Sherlock Holmes. Created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, Sherlock was the hero of numerous mysteries, using his unique methods and quirks to solve crimes like no one else could. While we’re sure most of you know Sherlock the character, we bet that many of you don’t know who was the person to inspire him. Well, we are here to remedy that.

The Author’s Official Answer

When asked about the person on whom Sherlock’s character was based, Conan Doyle has said more than once that Holmes was inspired by one Joseph Bell. Bell was a real-life surgeon who practiced at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and met Conan Doyle in 1877 and even served as his clerk.

What Does Bell Have to Say About That?

Interestingly enough, in one of their letters exchanged, Bell wrote to Conan Doyle that the author himself was Sherlock Holmes and that he very well knew it! We guess the truth is somewhere in the middle and that the character incorporates elements of both men. After all, even when drawing inspiration from a different person, there has to be a little piece of the creator in the character as well.

Oh Wait, There’s More

Another inspiration for Holmes’s character although not as famous as Bell, who was mentioned by the author, is Sir Henry Littlejohn. Littlejohn was also in the medical field as the chair of medical jurisprudence at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. The man also used his medical skills as a police surgeon and medical officer of health in Edinburgh which gave Conan Doyle the idea of connecting medicine and crime investigation.

All three men obviously contributed one thing or another to forming this immortal character, which is an incredible honor. We are sure they are all proud of whatever share they had in creating this cultural staple.