Explore Characters, Stories & History
Step into the world of Sherlock Holmes, the world’s most famous detective. This Sherlock Holmes Wiki is a curated archive dedicated to the timeless creations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, bringing together every corner of Holmes’s universe — from unforgettable characters and thrilling mysteries to the historic streets of Victorian London.
Holmes made his first appearance in A Study in Scarlet (1887). Across four novels and fifty-six short stories he became a literary icon. At 221B Baker Street, alongside his loyal friend and chronicler Dr. John H. Watson, Holmes unravelled crimes that baffled Scotland Yard, clashed with criminal masterminds like Professor James Moriarty, and set the standard for detective fiction.
Featured Characters
Meet the cast that defines the canon — the consulting detective, his steadfast companion, allies within Scotland Yard, and the criminal mind who tests Holmes to his limits.
- Sherlock Holmes — master of deduction and observation.
- Dr. John H. Watson — army doctor, biographer, and moral compass.
- Mrs. Hudson — long-suffering landlady of 221B Baker Street.
- Inspector Lestrade — persistent, pragmatic, and occasionally perplexed.
- Professor James Moriarty — the Napoleon of Crime.
Iconic Stories
Start with the four novels, then dive into the short stories that established Holmes as the definitive detective of the late Victorian era.
- A Study in Scarlet (1887) — Holmes & Watson’s first case together.
- The Sign of Four (1890) — treasure, betrayal, and a fateful pact.
- The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902) — superstition on the moor.
- The Final Problem (1893) — Holmes versus Moriarty at Reichenbach.
Explore the complete canon through our expanding guides to the short-story collections and recurring cases.
Key Locations
London is a character in its own right: fog-shrouded streets, bustling stations, and the sitting-room where deductions were born.
- 221B Baker Street — the consulting rooms and heart of the canon.
- Scotland Yard — official police work meets Holmes’s private insight.
- Reichenbach Falls — a turning point in the struggle with Moriarty.
About Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Physician, writer, and creator of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle shaped modern detective fiction. Discover his life, influences, and the enduring legacy of the Holmes stories across stage, film, television, and popular culture.
- Biography & Legacy
- Canonical works overview — jump up to our stories hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who created Sherlock Holmes?
- British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Holmes first appeared in A Study in Scarlet (1887).
- How many Sherlock Holmes stories are there?
- Traditionally four novels and fifty-six short stories, collected across five volumes. Some scholars include two additional works, making fifty-eight in total. Learn more in The Canon.
- Where did Sherlock Holmes live?
- At 221B Baker Street, London — the consulting rooms where he solved many of his most famous cases.
- Who is Sherlock Holmes’s greatest enemy?
- Professor James Moriarty, often called the “Napoleon of Crime.”
- What is the Sherlock Holmes Canon?
- The Canon refers to the original works written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Explore it fully in The Canon article.