“You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.” —Sherlock Holmes “A Scandal in Bohemia”
The author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote his first Holmes story “A Study in Scarlet” in 1886. This fictional character was based on a real man, Dr. Joseph Bell, a renown forensic scientist at Edinburgh University whom Conan Doyle studied under. There were 56 self-contained short stories and four novels that featured the detective and the collection is known as The Cannon.
The detective was portrayed as having proficiency with observation, with forensic science, and logical reasoning. His cases featured a wide variety of clients, including Scotland Yard. A keen reader will realize that the character is sadly a misogynist. “Holmes is as inhuman as a Babbage’s calculating machine and just about as likely to fall in love,” Conan Doyle told a friend.
Holmes said in the “The Valley of Fear,” “I am not a whole-souled admirer of womankind. And in another story he “finds the motives of women inscrutable. How can you build upon such quicksand?” Further the detective said, “I would not tell women too much. Women are never to be entirely trusted, not the best of them.” Not a likable character to say the least.
Of interest that Sherlock Holmes manages to become engaged under false pretenses in order to obtain information about a case, but abandons the woman once he has the information he requires. Sort of the pot calling the kettle black, wouldn’t you say? Agatha Christie’s 1920s’ Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is much more a refined, brilliant, and likable character.
Irene Adler is a retired American opera singer and actress who appeared in “A Scandal in Bohemia.” She is one of only a handful of people who beats Holmes in the battle of wits and the only woman. “To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. In his eyes she eclipses the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt any emotion akin to love for her.”
Most of the stories are narrated by the character of Holmes’ friend and biographer, Dr. Watson, who accompanied Holmes during the investigations. They share quarters at the address of 221B Baker Street in London where many of the stories begin.
The lodgings are an apartment at the upper north end of the street, up 17 steps. They were roommates before Watson’s 1888 marriage and again after his wife’s death. The residence is maintained by the landlady, Mrs. Hudson.
Holmes is described as using addictive drugs including cocaine and morphine. He uses tobacco, smokes cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. To which Watson, a physician, criticizes the detective for creating a “poisonous atmosphere” in their confined quarters.
Holmes would relax with music when bored. He would listen to Pablo de Sarasate play violin. His enjoyment of vocal music, particularly Wagner, is depicted in “The Adventure of the Red Circle.”
Although the detective is usually dispassionate and cold, during an investigation he becomes animated and excitable. Holmes can bend the truth or break the law on behalf of a client, lying to the police, concealing evidence, or breaking into houses. He feels that the actions are morally justifiable. He is pleased when his skills are recognized and responds to flattery.
The first set of Holmes stories was published between 1887 and 1893. Conan Doyle killed off Holmes in a final battle with the criminal mastermind, professor James Moriarty in “The Final Problem.” However, eight years later, Conan Doyle began another series and Holmes reappears, and explains to a stunned Watson that he had faked his death to fool his enemies. This second set of stories was written until 1927.