A Brief History Of Sherlock Holmes

This is the long and illustrious history of Sherlock Holmes. Never has there been before, or since, such a confused, blurred line between a literary character and a historical figure. Some tourists still turn up to 221 B Baker Street, London, in hope of seeing where the detective used to live. Somewhat mischievously the address has now been turned into a Sherlock Holmes museum; perpetuating the myth.



Penned by the Scottish general practitioner Sir Arthur Connan Doyle, over a century ago, the stories have been translated into many different languages and formats. During his time running a doctor's practice, he began writing the first installment, which he reportedly finished in only three weeks. This has since been proceeded by another fifty six short stories and a further three novels.



The detective first appeared in 1887, in 'A Study In Scarlet'; a decidedly "Holmesian" story of revenge and deductive skills. It is in this novel that we're introduced to his friend and counterpart, Doctor Watson, as the mismatched pair split the rent at the aforementioned address. The doctor, a wounded field surgeon, is seen by the detective as additional help with his job as the 'World's first consulting detective'.

Incorporating a story of the roaming Mormons as part of it's conclusion, the stories of this quintessentially English detective crossed the pond to America. However, upon A Study In Scarlet's arrival, it was steeped in controversy. Implying the Mormon church was involved in murder and kidnapping didn't bode well; yet the series still made the translation, and Sherlock Holmes has since become a name well known across the States.



With the advent of the cinema taking place at the same time, these detective were lapped up by film makers; a trend that has not seen signs of ceasing. The first films were a minute or two long showings of 'Sherlock Holmes Baffled', there was also a series of thirteen shorts made in Denmark in 1910. Then in 1916 William Gillette portrayed the detective in a well received silent movie.



Sherlock Holmes has since become the most played character in cinema history. Over seventy actors have played him, in more than two hundred films, with more to come. There have also been an inestimable amount of TV adaptations and radio plays featuring Conan-Doyle's character. Now with the recent film grossing over $500 million worldwide, it seems as if the detective is growing in popularity, and will be going nowhere, any time soon.





To go on the only Sherlock Holmes Walk check out Brit Movie tours. They also offer many other London Movie Locations tours including Inspector Morse Tours, Harry Potter tours, Doctor Who tours and much more.