Sherlock Holmes is the most famous fictional detective, known for his incredible mind, unwavering logic, and thrilling cases. The world falls in love with his stories, and his image is plastered on everything from mugs to t-shirts. But how much do we really know about him?
What is surprising about the man behind the myth? Get ready to be surprised!
Beyond Baker Street: The Real Sherlock Holmes
Many of us think we know Sherlock Holmes. We picture him with a deerstalker hat, a magnifying glass, and a pipe. However, this iconic image is not from the stories themselves but from the imagination of illustrators.
Where is Baker Street? The address where Holmes is said to have lived, 221B Baker Street, never existed! The street only went up to number 92 when Conan Doyle wrote A Study in Scarlet. The museum, of course, claims to be the “real” place. But it’s simply a building on a different street.
Did Holmes go to school? He never attended a traditional school. He taught himself, preferring to focus on his unique skills in observation, deduction, and analysis.
Was Holmes a university man? He did attend university, but not just any university. Holmes attended Oxford University. We know this because Conan Doyle strategically places him in both Cambridge and Oxford throughout his stories.
Where’s the deerstalker? The iconic deerstalker hat and pipe, while deeply ingrained in our perception of Holmes, are nowhere to be found in the original stories. These were created by the artist Sidney Paget, who illustrated the stories in The Strand magazine.
The Unexpected Sides of the Great Detective
How many times does Moriarty appear? We only hear about Professor Moriarty, the archenemy of Holmes, in two short stories. He’s not as prominent as we might think, but his presence is felt throughout the entire series.
What about the first episode of Sherlock? The title of the first episode, “A Study in Pink,” is a clear nod to A Study in Scarlet. The BBC television series uses many references from Conan Doyle’s original stories.
What about the Royal Society of Chemistry? This might surprise you. Sherlock Holmes, the fictional detective, was made an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
How much did Conan Doyle love Holmes? He actually grew tired of his creation. He felt that Holmes took over his life, and he tried to kill him off in The Final Problem.
How did Mycroft become famous? Mycroft, Holmes’ brother, is also a brilliant detective, but he prefers a more cerebral approach. He is only mentioned briefly in the early stories, and we get to know more about him in later adventures.
The Lasting Legacy of Sherlock Holmes
Today, we are still fascinated by the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The BBC’s modern adaptation, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes and Martin Freeman as Watson, has only fueled the public’s obsession. We find ourselves transported to Victorian London and captivated by the thrilling cases of this brilliant detective.
The legacy of Sherlock Holmes is vast and continues to inspire and entertain us. His story is a testament to the enduring power of great storytelling and how a fictional character can become a part of our cultural fabric.
So, the next time you think of Sherlock Holmes, remember that there is more to the story than meets the eye.
The game is afoot!
