In 1888, came a treat for the mystery lovers when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle decided to put his imagination to words. Sherlock Holmes was modeled on Monsieur Dupin, an inspector created by Edgar Allan Poe for his stories 'Murders in the Rue Morgue' and 'The Purloined Letter'. Yet Sherlock appealed to the British readers more because he confronted the messy, changeable world they dwelled in.
Arthur Conan Doyle was born in 1859, a time that fell twenty two years into Queen Victoria’s reign. Also recognized as the time of unparalleled growth in Britain due to labour and resources pouring in from colonies. Businesses flourished and London grew. But, overpopulation, homelessness, drug abuse and crime deemed their way. London became a place of disturbing contrasts. Where the rich comfortably sipped tea in the comfort of their homes, cholera ravaged ones with limited means.
Arthur Conan Doyle was born in 1859, a time that fell twenty two years into Queen Victoria’s reign. Also recognized as the time of unparalleled growth in Britain due to labour and resources pouring in from colonies. Businesses flourished and London grew. But, overpopulation, homelessness, drug abuse and crime deemed their way. London became a place of disturbing contrasts. Where the rich comfortably sipped tea in the comfort of their homes, cholera ravaged ones with limited means.
London 1888
The rampant contrast provided the perfect backdrop during this fascinating time, where Sir Doyle based Holmes, a man of science, undistracted by the gentler passions of the world, who moved through the dank vapors and dark alleyways of London using logical observational deduction and elimination to solve dilemmas. He embodied the ideals of Victorian manhood.
Described as a ‘thin, wiry, dark man with a high nosed acute face’ by his creator, Holmes was a kind of exemplary gentleman in his restraint. The image of a man with a deerstalker cap and a cape were firmly etched into our minds first due to illustrator Sidney Paget, who added much to our image of the character.
In 1897 Conan Doyle wrote a play about Holmes, and an actor, William Gillette, became a sensation playing the detective on Broadway in New York City. Gillette added another facet to the character, the famous meerschaum pipe. An aspect synonymous with Holmes till today.
Described as a ‘thin, wiry, dark man with a high nosed acute face’ by his creator, Holmes was a kind of exemplary gentleman in his restraint. The image of a man with a deerstalker cap and a cape were firmly etched into our minds first due to illustrator Sidney Paget, who added much to our image of the character.
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Sidney Paget's illustration of Sherlock Holmes, signed 'SP'
William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes
Doyle’s original readers began to identify their city and recognize their time in the Holmes stories. It was easy to imagine that he was just around the corner, riding in the next cab.
Yet, England saw a drastic upheaval since the first Sherlock Holmes. The British colonies regained their independence, old, mysterious London melted away. The problems faced by modern British society would have left the Victorian detective behind. But quite contrarily, Holmes manages to strike a chord with modern audiences and readers alike.
Guy Ritchie’s Holmes comes off as high caliber entertainment. His Holmes has changed, with the world around him. The introspective, contemplative Holmes gives way to a street smart, martial arts expert.
The Holmes produced by BBC has played historical parallels neatly. A cosmopolitan city with teeming money and crime, a doctor recently back from an inglorious war in Afghanistan and a huge technological leap.
The Sherlock for every generation is developed according to how they would like to see him. Creators change him yet cling on to the attributes that define him. (In which case, I would happily dwell in 1888, Thank you.)
Yet, England saw a drastic upheaval since the first Sherlock Holmes. The British colonies regained their independence, old, mysterious London melted away. The problems faced by modern British society would have left the Victorian detective behind. But quite contrarily, Holmes manages to strike a chord with modern audiences and readers alike.
Guy Ritchie’s Holmes comes off as high caliber entertainment. His Holmes has changed, with the world around him. The introspective, contemplative Holmes gives way to a street smart, martial arts expert.
The Holmes produced by BBC has played historical parallels neatly. A cosmopolitan city with teeming money and crime, a doctor recently back from an inglorious war in Afghanistan and a huge technological leap.
(Left) Guy Ritchie's Sherlock. (Right) BBC's Sherlock
The Sherlock for every generation is developed according to how they would like to see him. Creators change him yet cling on to the attributes that define him. (In which case, I would happily dwell in 1888, Thank you.)
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