Features
We enter the spirit world, and discover the surprising way Holmes likes to unwind. Meet some of the sidekicks of the great detectives, the actors who have played Holmes, and Nick Rennison, writer of his unauthorised biography
Life story: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Famous throughout the world as the author of the Sherlock Holmes books, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had a varied life, including a spell working on an Arctic whaler, serving in the Boer War and playing in goal for Portsmouth FC.
Doyle and Spiritualism
Arthur Conan Doyle was a rigorous doctor and the creator of the ever-logical Sherlock Holmes. So it's strange to think he was a follower of Spiritualism and firmly believed in fairies and ghosts. Strange but true…
Sleuths and Sidekicks
Detectives and their sidekicks go together like pipes and deer-stalkers, but what makes the relationship work? Find out with some of literature's most tenacious twosomes.
Playing Holmes
Since the 1890s, hundreds of actors have played the role of Sherlock Holmes, on stage, screen and the radio. There have been more than 260 films, two musicals and even a ballet, "The Great Detective", staged at Sadler's Wells in 1953.
Drug Use in the 19th Century
“Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantelpiece, and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. With his long, white, nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle and rolled back his left shirtcuff. For some little time his eyes rested thoughtfully upon the sinewy forearm and wrist, all dotted and scarred with innumerable puncture-marks. Finally, he thrust the sharp point home, pressed down the tiny piston, and sank back into the velvet-lined armchair with a long sigh of satisfaction.” ("The Sign Of Four", 1890)
"Sherlock Holmes: The Unauthorized Biography"
Nick Rennison is the author of "Sherlock Holmes: The Unauthorized Biography", which places the great detective among real historical events of the late 19th century. ICONS asked Nick about his book, and about his fascination with the character.
