Sherlock Holmes

An exploration of the Victorian era would not be complete without a tribute to the ultimate Victorian detective - Sherlock Holmes. This character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was the quinessential detective, one that could be our present day C.S.I team to shame. He would quickly scour a murder site with his keen eyes and brilliant mind seeing clues that others would easily miss. He faced many villians - some innocent people who just were in the wrong place at the wrong time....and others who were diabolical and vicious.

To me, the best Sherlock Holmes of all times was seen in an English actor named Jeremy Brett. He portrayed the immortal detective for many years as seen in several series produced by Granada Television. "The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes", "The Return Of Sherlock Holmes" and the Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes" were just a few as well as some full length features such as "The Hound Of The Baskervilles".

If you are lucky enough to catch some of these jewels on television, you are immediately transported back to the Victorian era, in this instance, late 1800's, with it's fashion, customs, and lifestyle. It shows the gracious, romantic side but also gives us a glimpse of the not-so-nice side of that time. In these portrayals, Jeremy brings just the right blend of brilliance and vulnerability as well as stoic, arrogance and charm. His cool exterior hides a deeper sensitivity that peeks through from time to time. Watching Jeremy in this role makes you almost forget that Mr. Holmes was, after all, a fictional character.

It's becoming more difficult to find these wonderful programs on television. I have purchased several from Amazon.com and as far as I can see, they have all series available.

Mr. Brett suffered with manic depression as well as heart failure and was taken from us a few short years ago. His stage and motion picture career spanned several decades but to me, he will always be remembered as the Sherlock Holmes!

If you would like to explore more of Sherlock Holmes as well as Jeremy Brett, please consider the links below.

22B Baker Street Jeremy Brett as Holmes Sherlock Holmes, With Jeremy Brett Sheryl's Sherlock Holmes Page Sherlockian.net The Sherlock Holmes Museum The Sherlock Holmes Society of London

If you appreciate all things Victorian as I do, I encourage you to view some of Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes endeavors. You will find yourself transported back in time, if just for an hour or so.

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Various photos used on this site are used courtesy of some of the links found above. They are public domain images, as I understand.