Sherlock Holmes is arguably the most famous fictional detective personality in the entire world. He has been the inspiration behind many writers to create their own fictional detectives. The British author Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, popularly known as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, created the smart and witty Sherlock Holmes. He first introduced Sherlock in his novel “A Study in Scarlet” in 1887. He started to work on his book in 1886, but it eventually got published in 1887.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has written a total of four novels and 56 short stories on Sherlock Holmes. And Sherlock got his universal fame from his first short story, “A Scandal in Bohemia,” in 1891. Most of his stories are portrayed by Dr. John H. Watson, also known as Dr. Watson. He is also Sherlock’s friend and biographer. He also keeps company to Sherlock in his investigations.
Now that you know the basic information about Sherlock Let’s dig deeper to understand his psychology and how he deliberately solved the most complex cases.
The Personal Life Of Sherlock Holmes
Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock in “Sherlock Holmes (2009)” (Credits: IMDb)
Sherlock Holmes lives at 221B Baker Street with his dear friend Dr. Watson. The two share a room together because they are not very well off financially at the beginning. He has spent his life as a detective for twenty-three years. And Dr. Watson accompanied him for seventeen years. As most of his adventures are written and narrated by Dr. Watson, the stories of Holmes in the books are from Watson’s point of view.
Holmes has clients from all kinds of people at the top of society. Many powerful government organizations to the rich and powerful industrialists. He also has clients from the poverty-stricken people of Europe. Holmes has a very small circle of people who are aware of his excellent investigation skills. But soon, he becomes a very famous and popular detective across Europe, courtesy of Watson’s writings about him.
Holmes can be seen as a very cold and emotionless human being, but he can become quite excited during an investigation. He also craves a little appreciation for his god-like skills. That’s why he always wants to keep his methods and evidences a secret until the final moment to impress everyone.
Needless to say, his investigation skills have put many criminals behind bars. This has gained him many followers. But at the same time plenty of enemies. Among them is Professor James Moriarty, also known as Professor Moriarty. He is probably the best match for Holmes’s enviable skills. And he is the reason behind Holmes’s death.
The Death Of Sherlock Holmes
Benedict Cumberbatch in “Sherlock: The Final Problem (TV Episode 2017)” (Credits: IMDb)
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle also had a keen interest in spiritualism. He thought he should not direct all his literary energies into one channel, in this case, Sherlock. So, he decided to end his adventures with Holmes by killing him in “The Final Problem.” This short story was set in the year 1891 but was published in 1893. The story’s climax is set in the beautiful Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland. By now, Professor Moriarty is completely exposed by Holmes. Disheartened by the defeat, he calls for a face-to-face meeting with Holmes on a rocky cliff near the falls.
Even though Dr. Watson wants to accompany Holmes, he is stuck with a patient who needs immediate medical attention. Watson stays back at the inn and looks after the needy patient. But Holmes sees through the conspiracy of Moriarty. It’s a well-thought plan to keep Watson busy and separate him from Holmes. Still, he decides to meet Moriarty at the rendezvous point.
There the two exchange some words, and Moriarty again tries to outsmart Holmes. But he failed again miserably. Moriarty makes them both fall, and that’s how the author intended to end Holmes’s story.
The Rebirth Of Sherlock Holmes
Benedict Cumberbatch in “Sherlock (TV Series 2010-2017)” (Credits: IMDb)
After “The Final Problem” was released and people got to know about Holmes’s ultimate fate, they were furious. The anguished readers stated their grief in letters and sent them to The Strand Magazine. The magazine suffered a huge financial blow when 20,000 people canceled their subscriptions to protest against Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s decision. He himself also received many protest letters with a request to bring back Holmes.
After a long wait of eight years, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote the novel “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” He re-introduced Holmes in this crime novel, but it was set before the death of Sherlock. In 1903, he wrote “The Adventure of the Empty House,” where Holmes reappears and explains everything to a shocked Watson.
He tells Watson how he managed to stay alive during all this time. He and Moriarity both fell at the same time, but Holmes landed on a rocky ledge. He stayed there for a few days and narrowly escaped Colonel Sebastian Moran, a sharpshooter and the right hand of Moriarty. He explains that he played dead to keep their enemies in the darkness and know more about their crimes without their slightest suspicion.
He then teams up with Watson to deal with Moran in the short story “The Adventure of the Empty House.”
