Sherlock Holmes (02:03)

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Holmes features in over 260 films, 1,000 television episodes, and countless comic books and games. Arthur Conan Doyle is as much of an interesting character as his literary creation. (Credits)

Literary Ambition (05:57)

In 1886, Doyle began writing short stories. He created a new type of detective that employed the science of deduction; narrator John Watson became the ideal intermediary between Holmes and the reader. Beeton's Christmas Annual published Doyle's story in 1887.

"The Sign of Fall" (02:42)

An American editor commissioned a story from Doyle and Oscar Wilde for "Lippincott's Monthly Magazine" in 1890. Doyle wrote "A Scandal in Bohemia" for "The Strand Magazine" in 1891; a series of connected short stories followed.

Sherlock Holmes and London (04:20)

Holmes was a believable character; London became a character in its own right. Doyle's ability to capture society's outlook and represent hope during darkness resulted in the stories' success.

Forensics (03:38)

Edmond Locard established the first police lab in 1910; Holmes was his main inspiration. Doyle's character was an unusual type of hero and a drug addict.

Friendship and Image (04:05)

Doyle described Holmes through Watson's perspective, giving readers a link to the main character. Illustrator Sidney Paget modeled Holmes after his brother. William Gillette was the first actor to portray Holmes in an authorized play.

Literary Dissatisfaction (03:37)

Doyle lived off earnings from "The Strand Magazine," but became disillusioned with Holmes; he wrote two historical epics. Doyle wanted to kill the character but the magazine paid handsomely for more installments.

Fiction vs. Reality (05:22)

People believed Holmes was a real person. Detective stories assured readers it was possible to find the absolute truth. Doyle felt Holmes was ruining his career, so he created a master criminal for a final showdown in 1893; readers mourned the end.

Doyle's Freedom (02:31)

Doyle traveled the world before beginning work on a series of historical novels. He fell in love with Jean Leckie in 1897, became a war correspondent in 1898, enlisted in the military in 1899, and was knighted in 1902.

"The Hound of the Baskervilles" (06:59)

Doyle reintroduced Holmes in a novel, using the ploy of an old case. He refused to write another Holmes story until September 1903. Doyle created several adventures to explain Holmes' absence and developed his biography.

Author and Detective (03:37)

Doyle's wife died in 1906 and he married Leckie a year later. He investigated the case of George Edalji and began writing a series about Professor Challenger. "The Strand Magazine" published "The Lost World" in 1912.

Doyle's Perspectives (06:36)

Doyle wrote in service of the Foreign Office during WWI and Holmes stories. He embraced and defended spiritualism until his death in 1930. Holmes was adapted into 120 novels and hundreds of films.

Credits: We are Legend - Sherlock Holmes against Conan Doyle (00:50)

Credits: We are Legend - Sherlock Holmes against Conan Doyle