Famous Fictional Detectives
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Doyle wrote
four novels and fifty-six short stories about the detective. The first novel was published in
1887. Holmes is thought of as the most famous detective in English literature. He is best
known for using his clever powers of observation and reasoning to solve difficult cases.
With the help of his good friend and assistant, Dr. John Watson, Holmes worked out of
his apartment at 221B Baker Street in London. Dr. Watson narrates all but four of the
stories about Holmes. Sherlock Holmes was an instant hit when Doyle created the
detective. He is still so popular that he’s often mistaken for a real person. Among the
most famous Holmes stories are “A Study in Scarlet” (the first Sherlock Holmes story,
1887) and “The Hound of the Baskervilles” (1902).
