Who is Sherlock Holmes?
In a recent survey, 58% of British teens thought Sherlock was a real guy. So we won't judge you if you did too :-)
While he wasn't a real person, the truth behind the Sherlock that we know today is very interesting. He is also credited as the most portrayed literary human character in film & TV.
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887. However, the character has been reimagined by many people over the years, creating something we call a Palimpsest.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a British doctor and author. His first Sherlock story, A Study in Scarlet, became a massive hit in 1887. While he wrote other great works, his Sherlock stories made him famous. However, he grew tired of the character, and even killed him off at one point. Public outcry was so great that decided to bring Holmes back from the dead.
Classroom Activity
Victorian England
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily is set in London England during the early 1890s.
During this time, Great Britain was the world’s most powerful empire. But life was much different back then. Here you can find some fun facts and story that will help you appreciate the play's setting:
