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==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File: Sherlock One.jpg |200px|thumbnail|left|A drawing of Sherlock Holmes]]Sherlock Holmes is one of the most popular fictional characters that has ever been created. His name has become synonymous with the detection of crime and the solving of mysteries. Holmes is widely viewed as the epitome of what a detective should be. Since his introduction to the world, he has appeared many times on screen and stage. He  Holmes is so popular that many people believe that assume he was a real-life figure. This is not the case and this . This article will examine if the character was based on a historical crime fighter or real-life detective. It investigates the development of the character, a biography of the fictional character and then evaluates the likely candidates for the original model for the most famous detective in history.  ====The evolution of Sherlock Holmes====[[File: Sherlock Onetwo.jpg png|200px|thumbthumbnail|left| A drawing of Sherlock HolmesArthur Conan Doyle]]==The evolution of Sherlock Holmes==The best-known fictional detective was created by the British writer Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)created Sherlock Holmes. He Doyle was a remarkable man, the son of an alcoholic Irish artist he became a medical doctor, writer, freemason, and spiritualist. Conan-Doyle created the character of Holmes when he was 27 and he initially . Initially, found it very difficult to find a publisher.  The first Sherlock Holmes story was ''A Study in Scarlet '' (1887) , and it proved a minor success. Later stories soon followed , and the story about the detective solving a baffling mystery they became a sensationand made their author a celebrity. The Soon the British public had an insatiable demand for the stories of Conan-Doyle .<ref> Edwards, Owen Dudley, The Quest for Sherlock Holmes: A Biographical Study of Arthur Conan Doyle(. Edinburgh: Mainstream, 1983), p 114</ref>. He  Doyle wrote over a dozen stories and two novels, but soon he became bored with the adventures of Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson. Despite pleas from his publishers he apparently killed off Sherlock Holmes in 1893. This led to a public outcry , and it is reported that many fans of the criminal investigator allegedly cried when they heard that their hero Holmes had died .<ref>Edwards, p 119</ref>.  For ten years Conan-Doyle concentrated on historical fiction, which was well received. In 1901 he returned to writing stories about Holmes, after pressure from his writing public and lucrative offers from publishers. In total, some Doyle wrote four novels and 57 short stories were written by Doyle on the adventures of the detective over his career. He wrote the last story about his most famous creation was in 1927. Since the death of Conan Doyle, many authors have continued to write stories based on the British doctor’s creation. There have been many movies about the great detective , and perhaps the most popular was Basil Rathbone, who portrayed the detective on the silver screen in Hollywood’s Golden ear era (the 1930s and 1940s). Robert Downey Jnr Jr. portrayal of the genius detective Holmes was very well receivedin 2009 and a sequel in 2011.  Many of the movies are not based on the Conan Doyle stories but only use the unforgettable characterin new plots. A good An excellent example of this was ''Mr. Holmes '' (2015), which is a re-imagining of the detectives detective's later years in retirement. In recent decades there have been numerous television series based on the character including ''Sherlock'', which has the detective master-investigator living in modern London and stars Benedict Cumberbatch (2010-2017). Many believe that Jeremy Brett’s portrayal of the detective in the ''Adventures of Sherlock Holmes '' (1984-1994)was one of the greatest ever. [[File: Sherlock two.png|200px|thumb|left| Arthur Conan Doyle]]====The fictional biography of Sherlock Holmesthe master detective====There are few references to Holmes early life. It appears that he was born in the 1850s and that he came from the English gentry and that his mother may have been part-French. It has been speculated that Holmes who never married had a cruel governess in his youth and this is why he never had a lasting relationship with a female. Sherlock had an older brother called Mycroft who was something of a genius and worked for the government and is often referred to in the stories. The future detective went to Oxford and it was here that he acquired his formidable powers of deduction. He became an amateur detective after he visited a university friend during his summer vacation. Holmes solved a mystery revolving around secrets from his friend’s father dubious past. The young man later became what is known as a consultant and he worked on many criminal cases. Holmes lived in London in 221 B Baker Street and eventually took in a lodger Dr. Watson a veteran of the British Indian Army and they became partners. The two Batchelors lived in an apartment that was maintained by Mrs. Hudson. Holmes was already an experienced detective by the time he met the doctor. Sherlock became a very well-known detective and was consulted by aristocrats, politicians, and monarchs and even by Scotland Yard. Watson later married and left Baker Street but returned to live with his old friend and partner after she died <ref>Tracy, Jack, The Sherlock Holmes Encyclopedia: Universal Dictionary of Sherlock Holmes (London: Crescent Books, 1988), p 112</ref>. At some date, Sherlock became addicted to morphine a common problem in the 19th century and also occasionally took cocaine. Holmes was also an expert on forensic science and a master of disguise. He was also a polymath and was very knowledgeable of several scientific subjects and was an accomplished violinist. The investigator had many battles of wits with criminal masterminds and his greatest enemy was the evil genius Professor James Moriarty. In a fight with Moriarty, also known as the ‘Napoleon of Crime’, the two men plunged into the Reichenbach Falls, in Switzerland, and it appeared that Holmes had died. Years later he returned to the amazement of many and announced that he had faked his own death. He once again helped British police with some of their most perplexing cases, such as the mystery involving the Hounds of the Baskervilles. The great criminal investigator never married but he apparently had a romantic interest in one of his many criminal foes, Irene Adler <ref>Jack, p 141</ref>. In about 1904 Holmes retired and he took up beekeeping but it appears that the police still sought out his help. During the First World War, his advice was sought out with regard to the activities of German spies in London.

==Literary antecedents of Sherlock Holmes==Many critics at the time of the stories’ publication came There are few references to believe that Holmes early life. It appears that he was inspired not by a real-life detective but by fictional ones. There are some critics who believe born in the 1850s and that Conan-Doyle was inspired by the works of he came from the English mystery writer Wilkie Collinsgentry and that his mother may have been part-French. However, undoubtedly one It has been speculated that Holmes who never married had a cruel governess in his youth and this is why he never had a lasting relationship with a female. Sherlock had an older brother called Mycroft who was something of a genius and worked for the main influences on government and is often referred to in the creation of the world’s most famous fictional stories. The future detective went to Oxford and it was Edgar Alan Poe’s, (1809-1849). here that he acquired his formidable powers of deduction. He created the world’s first fictional became an amateur detective, Auguste Dupinafter he visited a university friend during his summer vacation. He is  Holmes solved a very logical and rational thinker who uses reason to solve apparently impossible mysteriesmystery revolving around secrets from his friend’s father dubious past. For exampleThe young man later became what is known as a consultant, and he worked on many criminal cases. Holmes lived in London in ‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’ (1841), he solved a murder that 221 B Baker Street and eventually took part in a locked and inaccessible roomlodger Dr. The creator of the world’s best-known fictional crime fighter was Watson a great admirer veteran of the Baltimore born poet British Indian Army and short-story writerthey became partners. The stories of Dupin certainly influenced the writer and doctortwo Batchelors lived in an apartment that was maintained by Mrs. Hudson. Another potential model for Holmes was already an experienced detective by the fictional French detective Mtime he met the doctor. Lecoq, who Sherlock became a very well-known detective and was created consulted by Emile Gaboriau (1832–1873). This Parisian criminalaristocrats, like Holmespoliticians, is an opium addict and there are several other similarities monarchs and even by Scotland Yard. Watson later married and left Baker Street but returned to the most famous creation of Conan-Doyle live with his old friend and partner after she died.<ref> MurchTracy, Alma ElizabethJack, and Peter Owen. <i>The development Sherlock Holmes Encyclopedia: Universal Dictionary of the detective novel Sherlock Holmes</i> (London: Crescent Books, Peter Owen, 19681988), p 116112</ref>. ==Was Joseph Caminada At some point, Sherlock became addicted to morphine a common problem in the real 19th century and also occasionally took cocaine. Holmes==Another potential model for the hero who solves so many mysteries was Joseph Caminada (1854-1914)also an expert on forensic science and a master of disguise. He was also a polymath and was very knowledgeable of several scientific subjects and was an accomplished violinist. There are The investigator had many undeniable similarities between this real-life detective and the one who operated out of Baker Street. Caminada was born in Manchester battles of wits with criminal masterminds and his greatest enemy was the son of an Italian immigrantevil genius Professor James Moriarty. He joined  In a fight with Moriarty, also known as the ‘Napoleon of Crime’, the two men plunged into the police force at an early age Reichenbach Falls, in Switzerland, and studied criminals so it appeared that Holmes had died. Years later he could catch them, this is something returned to the amazement of many and announced that Holmes also did, during he had faked his many visits to London’s Underworldown death. Caminada was like Conan Doyle's literary figureHe once again helped British police with some of their most perplexing cases, a master such as the mystery involving the Hounds of disguise and also used the Baskervilles. The great criminal investigator never married but he apparently had a scientific method to catch criminals, which resulted romantic interest in him apprehending over 1000 offenders. The Manchester-based detective was also like Holmes regularly consulted by the police when he became a ‘consultant’one of his many criminal foes, Irene Adler. Then as was <ref>Jack, p 141</ref>  In about 1904 Holmes retired and he took up beekeeping but it appears that the case with police still sought out his help. During the man who solved First World War, his advice was sought out with regard to the Mystery activities of the Hounds German spies in London.  <dh-ad/>====Literary antecedents of the Baskervilles, Caminada had Sherlock Holmes====Many critics at the time of the stories’ publication came to believe that Holmes was inspired not by a nemesis, who was a criminal mastermindreal-life detective but by fictional ones. His enemy Some critics believe that Conan-Doyle was not some egocentric Professor like Moriartyinspired by the works of the English mystery writer Wilkie Collins. However, undoubtedly, but a young man who swore revenge one of the main influences on Caminada for arresting him <ref>O'Neill, Joseph, Crime City: Manchester's Victorian Underworld, Milo Books, 2008the creation of the world’s most famous fictional detective was Edgar Alan Poe (1809-1849). He created the world’s first fictional detective, p 14, 89)</ref>Auguste Dupin. He is a very logical and rational thinker who used reason to solve impossible mysteries. == Sir Henry Duncan LittlejohnFor example, in ‘The Murders in the inspiration for Holmes?==Sir Henry Duncan Littlejohn Rue Morgue’ (1826-19141841), was he solved a Scottish medical doctor, murder that took part in a public health advocate locked and a social reformerinaccessible room. Doyle knew him, because Littlejohn, taught him at medical school in Edinburgh. He The creator of the world’s best-known fictional crime fighter was one a great admirer of the earliest experts in Baltimore born poet and short-story writer. The stories of Dupin certainly influenced the new forensic science writer and like doctor. Another potential model for Holmes, he was regularly consulted by the police especially in Scotlandfictional French detective M. Littlejohn Lecoq, who was frequently an expert witness in court cases and this brought him a measure of fame. He was a very logically man created by Emile Gaboriau (1832–1873). This Parisian criminal, like Holmes, is an opium addict and was a pioneer in there are several other similarities to the use most famous creation of science to solve difficult casesConan-Doyle. There are many differences between Littlejohn <ref> Murch, Alma Elizabeth, and Holmes, especially in their characterPeter Owen. Littlejohn was a rather dourThe development of the detective novel (London, religious manPeter Owen, 1968), who played a very active role in his Churchp 116</ref><ref> Boström, Mattias. From  ====Was Joseph Caminada the real Holmes to Sherlock: The Story of ====Another potential model for the Men and Women hero who Created an Icon. solves so many mysteries was Joseph Caminada (York, Grove Press, 20171854-1914), p. 118</ref>There are many undeniable similarities between this real-life detective and the one who operated out of Baker Street. He Caminada was also a happily married man with a large family. This born in Manchester and was very dissimilar to the life led by Sherlock, a committed bachelor, and son of an opium addictItalian immigrant. Moreover, Holmes is portrayed by Doyle as rejecting He joined the opportunity to be knighted, while Littlejohn was knights by Queen Victoriapolice force at an early age and studied criminals so that he could catch them; this is something that Holmes also did, for during his services many visits to medicine<ref> Ben-YamiLondon’s Underworld. Caminada was like Conan Doyle's literary figure, Hanoch. "Could Sherlock Holmes Have Existed?." Croatian Journal a master of Philosophy 10disguise and also used a scientific method to catch criminals, nowhich resulted in him apprehending over 1000 offenders. 30 (2010): 3-9</ref> The Manchester-based detective was also like Holmes regularly consulted by the police when he became a ‘consultant. ==Joseph Bell==It is widely held by scholars ’ Then as was the case with the man who solved the Mystery of the works Hounds of Conan Doyle that the main model for Sherlock Holmes Baskervilles, Caminada had a nemesis, who was Joseph Bell (1837 – 1911)a criminal mastermind. He His enemy was a doctor and a lecturer and lived in Edinburghnot some egocentric Professor like Moriarty, Scotland and that Doyle was taught by Bell and later became his assistant, for but a period of time young man who swore revenge on Caminada for arresting him.<ref>JacksO'Neill, Joseph, p 12</refCrime City: Manchester's Victorian Underworld, Milo Books, 2008), p 14, 89)</ref>. Bell believed that observation was essential ====Sir Henry Duncan Littlejohn, the inspiration for correct diagnosis. This made him a very successful Holmes?====Sir Henry Duncan Littlejohn (1826-1914), was a Scottish medical doctor , a public health advocate, and surgeona social reformer. He later applied his system Doyle knew him, because Littlejohn, taught him at medical school in Edinburgh. He was one of close observation to criminal cases. The deductive method so famously used by Sherlock seems to have been based on the methods developed earliest experts in the new forensic science, and like Holmes, he was regularly consulted by Bell. Like the great detectivepolice, he had especially in Scotland.  Littlejohn was frequently used as an uncanny ability to identify a strangers’ occupation, homeexpert witness in court cases, and even past, based on simple cluesthis brought him a measure of fame. Bell He was also involved in some famous criminal cases a very logical man and was regularly consulted by a pioneer in the policeuse of science to solve difficult cases. In the 1890s he was consulted by the London Police There are many differences between Littlejohn and Holmes, especially in relation to the most famous case in British legal historytheir character. This Littlejohn was the Jack the Ripper case when a serial killer brutally murdered five women rather dour, religious man, who played a very active role in Londonhis Church. However<ref>Boström, Bell did not have many Mattias. <i>From Holmes to Sherlock: The Story of the eccentricities of Holmes Men and was a rather respectable figure, Women who was Queen Victoria’s personal medic when she visited ScotlandCreated an Icon<ref/i>. (York, ScarlettGrove Press, 2017), Earle Pp. "The Old Original: Notes on Dr118</ref>  He was also a happily married man with a large family. Joseph Bell Whose Personality and Peculiar Abilities Suggested This was very dissimilar to the Creation of life led by Sherlock Holmes." Archives of internal medicine 114, noa committed bachelor, and an opium addict. 5 (1964): 696-701</ref>. ==Conclusions==Conan Doyle created not only one of the great figures in crime fiction he fashioned one of the most significant figures in popular cultureMoreover, Holmes is portrayed by Doyle as rejecting the opportunity to be knighted, while Littlejohn was knights by Queen Victoria, for his services to medicine. Sherlock Holmes creator<ref> Ben-Yami, Conan Doyle was influenced by other, writer’s work, especially that of PoeHanoch. "Could Sherlock Holmes Have Existed?. However, there is a great deal " Croatian Journal of evidence that suggests that he based his classic character on a historical figurePhilosophy 10, no. It is not likely that 30 (2010): 3-9</ref> ====Joseph Caminada was used as a model Bell====It is widely held by scholars of the works of Conan Doyle that the Edinburgh born writer main model for his most famous creation. Sir Henry Duncan Littlejohn Sherlock Holmes was probably someone who inspired the young writer to conceive of HolmesJoseph Bell (1837 – 1911). Certainly, the logic He was a doctor and rationality of the fictional detective are very similar to the approach advocated by Littlejohn. Howevera lecturer and lived in Edinburgh, the main influence on Conan Doyle for his immortal character was Joseph Scotland and that Doyle was taught by Bell and he even admitted it in letters to friends and also publicly in interviewslater became his assistant, for a while.<ref>Jacks, p. The Scottish medic 12</ref> Bell believed that observation was one of the pioneers of forensic science essential for correct diagnosis. This made him a very successful doctor and modern investigation techniquessurgeon. His analytical method was clearly adopted by the writer for  He later applied his charactersystem of close observation to difficult criminal cases. Then there were his frequent consultations with The deductive method so famously used by Sherlock seems to have been based on the police and his involvement in mysterious cases which no-doubt inspired techniques developed by Bell. Like the young writer. It appears that Holmes mainly great detective, he had an uncanny ability to identify a strangers’ occupation, home, and even past, based Sherlock on simple clues. Bell, but was also used involved in some of famous criminal cases and was regularly consulted by the characteristics of Littlejohnpolice. HoweverIn the 1890s, undoubtedly, Conan Doyle added much he was consulted by the London Police in relation to the charactermost famous case in British criminal history - Jack the Ripper. His imagination added memorable details such as Jack Ripper was serial killer who brutally murdered five women in London.  However, Bell did not have any of the deerstalker hat eccentricities of Holmes and phrases such as ‘Elementary, Dear Watson’, that have made the criminal investigator such a beloved herowas a rather respectable figure. He even served as Queen Victoria’s personal medic when she visited Scotland.<ref>Scarlett, Earle P. "The Old Original: Notes on Dr. Joseph Bell Whose Personality and Peculiar Abilities Suggested the Creation of Sherlock Holmes." Archives of internal medicine 114, no. 5 (1964): 696-701</ref> ====Conclusions====Conan Doyle created not only one of the great figures in crime fiction; he fashioned one of the most significant figures in popular culture. Sherlock Holmes creator, Conan Doyle, was influenced by other, writer’s work, especially that of Poe. However, there is a great deal of evidence that suggests that he based his classic character on a historical figure. It is not likely that Joseph Caminada was used as a model by the Edinburgh born writer for his most famous creation. Sir Henry Duncan Littlejohn was probably someone who inspired the young writer to conceive of Holmes famous powers of deduction.  Certainly, the logic and rationality of the fictional detective are very similar to the approach advocated by Littlejohn. However, the main influence on Conan Doyle, when conceiving his immortal character was Joseph Bell and he even admitted it in letters to friends and also publicly in interviews. The Scottish medic was one of the pioneers of forensic science and modern investigation techniques. The writer for his character clearly adopted his analytical method. Then there were his frequent consultations with the police and his involvement in mysterious cases which no-doubt inspired the young writer.  It appears that the author mainly based Sherlock on Bell, but also used some of the characteristics of Littlejohn. However, undoubtedly, Conan Doyle added much to the character. His imagination added memorable details such as the deerstalker hat and phrases such as ‘Elementary, Dear Watson’, that have made the criminal investigator such a beloved hero. ====Further Reading====* Foxcroft, Louise. The Making of Addiction: The 'Use and Abuse' of Opium in Nineteenth-Century Britain (Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing Company, 2007)* Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Complete Sherlock Holmes. Volumes I and II. Introduction and Notes by Kyle Freeman. (New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 2003).* Knight, Stephen Thomas. Crime fiction 1800-2000: Detection, death, diversity (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003). ==Further Reading==Foxcroft, Louise. The Making of Addiction: The 'Use and Abuse' of Opium in Nineteenth-Century Britain (Burlington, VT{{MediaWiki: Ashgate Publishing Company, 2007)AmNative}}

Knight, Stephen Thomas. Crime fiction 1800-2000[[Category: Detection, death, diversity (Palgrave Macmillan, 2003).==References==Wikis]][[Category:British History]] [[Category: Historically Accurate]] [[Category:19th Century History]]