Is There Anyone in Real Life Who Is Similar to Sherlock Holmes? The Closest to Him and What They Look Like
One of the most enduring and iconic characters in literature is Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. While many may imagine a specific image of Holmes, the reality is that detectives in the real world come in every form: size, shape, color, and gender. This diversity makes finding someone exactly like Holmes a challenging task. However, real-life detectives and investigators who share his keen observational skills and deductive reasoning are plentiful.
Law Enforcement Personalities Inspired by Sherlock Holmes
During the late Victorian era, French police inspector Alphonse Bertillon developed a technique he called anthropometry, a method used to identify specific criminals. Doyle referenced Bertillon ironically in The Hound of the Baskervilles during Dr. Mortimer’s initial interview with Holmes and Watson. This irony highlights the real-world origins of Holmes’s methods.
Several law enforcement personalities emerged in the 1970s who modeled their crime-stopping thought processes specifically on Sherlock Holmes. These include notable figures like Dr. Robert Hare, whose Psychopathy Checklist helps determine the danger factor of personal interactions with unstable individuals. Additionally, the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit was started by Robert Ressler, John Douglas, Roy Hazelwood, and Russell Vorpagel. These investigators were intrigued by Holmes's ability to read a crime scene and made a science of studying it, much like Holmes’s methods.
A Real-Life Inspiration: Dr. Joseph Bell
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s real-life inspiration was Dr. Joseph Bell, a professor at the University of Edinburgh medical school. Dr. Bell’s deductive reasoning and keen observational skills were strikingly similar to those of Holmes. Doyle’s work with Dr. Bell is well-documented, and the BBC TV series Murder Rooms - The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes explores this partnership, portraying Bell as the Holmes-like figure and Doyle as Watson.
Dr. Bell assisted the police on multiple actual cases, including the infamous “Jack the Ripper” murders. The show’s fictional narrative is largely based on these true events, with Robin Lang playing the young Conan Doyle and Ian Richardson playing Dr. Bell.
Successful Real-Life Sleuths
While England during the late Victorian era provided the inspiration for Holmes, modern real-life detectives are equally skilled and diverse. Here are a few contemporary sleuths who come closest to the mysterious detective:
1. Hercule Poirot
Created by Dame Agatha Christie, Hercule Poirot is another iconic figure in detective fiction. He is renowned for his keen intellect, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to use his extraordinary insight to solve complex cases.
2. Miss Marple
Another creation of Agatha Christie, Miss Marple is a retired spinster with a sharp mind and a knack for identifying the truth. She is known for solving crimes through her keen observation and detection of subtle clues.
3. Lord Peter Wimsey
Written by Dorothy Sayers, Lord Peter Wimsey is a personal friend of Miss Marple and a prominent figure in the golden age of detective fiction. He is characterized by his emotional control, intelligence, and wit, reminiscent of Holmes, though he has a more personal and romantic life.
Like Holmes, he has a Watson in his manservant, Bunter, who assists him in his investigations. Sayers’ writing style is highly academic and complex, but her novels are also extremely well-written and enjoyable.
4. Inspector Alan Grant
Created by New Zealander Colin Cotterill, Inspector Alan Grant is a bumbling but brilliant detective in the Kingdom of Laos. He is part of the wangen ka (twins) of the fictional kingdom, which are a group of twins who are detectives and have a unique understanding of human nature and behavior.
5. Maigret
The fictional character of Inspector Jules Maigret, created by Georges Simenon, is based on the work of a real-life detective, Maurice Boulvain. Maigret is known for his patient and methodical approach to solving cases, which is quite similar to Holmes’s scientific and meticulous approach.
Conclusion
While no one can perfectly replicate Sherlock Holmes, real-life detectives and writers have drawn inspiration from his character to create their own remarkable sleuths. From law enforcement professionals to fictional detectives, the skills and methods of these figures often mirror those of the legendary Sherlock Holmes. Whether solving a complex crime or unravelling a mystery, their keen observational skills, deductive reasoning, and determination make them true modern-day Holmeses.