How the Public Brought Sherlock Holmes Back From the Dead

Detective Sherlock Holmes is one of if not the most popular fictional detective of all time. He is beloved by millions and has shaped the mystery genre. He was so popular that his death angered the public. Find out why Sherlock Holmes’ death angered fans and how it affected Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Birth of Sherlock Holmes

Everyone’s favorite detective Sherlock Holmes made his debut in 1887 in the novel A Study in Scarlet. His popularity grew as Doyle wrote short stories featuring Holmes in The Strand Magazine starting in 1891.

There was a total of 56 short stories that told the adventures of Holmes and his friends, including Dr. Watson. The stories are told by Watson as he tries to capture the brilliance of Holmes. And while Watson was never as popular as Holmes, he was still a popular figure.

The Death of Sherlock Holmes

In 1893, Doyle decided to kill off Sherlock Holmes. This was so Doyle could focus on other works that was overshadowed by his Sherlock Holmes stories. Doyle had other interests such as fantasy and science fiction stories, plays, poetry, and historical fiction novels. But all anyone knew about Doyle was for his Sherlock Holmes stories.

And so, Doyle decided to change that when he killed off Sherlock Holmes in The Final Problem. That was supposed to be the end of Holmes but fans of Holmes were not happy with this outcome. With the death of Holmes, over 20,000 readers canceled their membership to Strand Magazine. That almost was the end for the company and staff referred to this moment as “the dreadful event.”

In a letter to his friend, Doyle had this to say about the death of Holmes:

“I couldn’t revive him if I would, at least not for years,” Doyle writes to a friend who wants Doyle to bring Sherlock Holmes back. “for I have had such an overdose of him that I feel towards him as I do towards pâté de foie gras, of which I once ate too much, so that the name of it gives me a sickly feeling to this day threatening–letters. Still, it was nine years before he capitulated to public opinion and brought Holmes back.”

The Return of Sherlock Holmes

Doyle and The Strand received angry mail from fans of Sherlock Holmes for years. But Doyle had no plans to bring Sherlock Holmes back from the dead. He closed this chapter and wanted to move on. But the public would not let him. And finally, years later, Sherlock Holmes returned in 1903 in “The Adventure of the Empty House.”

And Holmes stayed around for a long time after that until 1927. Doyle’s character has defined Doyle’s literary career, something he tried to overcome but failed. It is said the Doyle ended up resenting Sherlock Holmes because he was forced to write short stories involving Holmes due to popular demand. He even charged an exorbitant amount to write these stories, which made him the highest paid author alive at one point.

Arthur Conan Doyle’s Legacy

It is not often that an author loses control of his work. But that is what happened when Doyle was forced to bring back Sherlock Holmes due to public pressure. And fans then and now are glad that that was the case.

Doyle’s other works are forgotten due to time but Sherlock Holmes has only grown more popular since publication. Doyle tried to reel in Sherlock Holmes but it was already too late by then.

The public loved him and have kept him alive and well since he first appeared in a magazine. The same can’t be said for Doyle and his legacy outside of Sherlock Holmes.

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