Sherlock Holmes: karakter og forfatterskab

Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character. You can read about him in books written by the Scottish author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Holmes is a brilliant detective, famous for his powers at using logic and observation to solve cases. He is perhaps the most famous fictional detective in the world, and indeed one of the best known and universally recognisable characters.

Conan Doyle wrote four novels and fifty-six short-stories featuring his Holmes. Almost all were told by Holmes' friend and biographer, Dr. John H. Watson. The stories cover a period from around 1878 up to 1903, with a final case in 1914.

More actors have portrayed Sherlock Holmes than any other character, and by 1964, according to a report in The Times, the worldwide sales of the stories were running second only to the Bible.

Sherlock Holmes described himself as a "consulting detective", an expert brought into cases too difficult for other investigators (typically the police). He specializes in solving unusual cases using his extraordinary powers of logical reasoning, and we are told that he can often solve a problem without leaving his home.

Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson lived at 221b Baker Street between 1881 and 1904, according to the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The famous 1st floor study overlooking Baker Street has since been created, and is faithfully maintained as was it kept in Victorian Times.