Exploring Arthur Conan Doyle’s Complex Relationship with Sherlock Holmes: Insights from a Historian

Sherlock Holmes: A Legacy of Fame and Complex Emotions

Sherlock Holmes stands as arguably the most iconic fictional character ever created. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle crafted a total of 62 stories featuring this astute detective, giving rise to a vast franchise that spans radio, theater, film, and television.

The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes

Fans of Holmes often have their preferred interpretations, whether it’s the original stories by Doyle or the memorable portrayals by actors such as Basil Rathbone, Christopher Plummer, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Robert Downey Jr. Holmes captivates audiences with his unique perspective, extraordinary intellect, and multifaceted personality, displaying traits ranging from brilliance to vulnerability. Interestingly, the creator of this beloved character, Arthur Conan Doyle, held a complicated view of him, revealing a stark contrast between admiration and disdain.

Unpacking Doyle’s Animosity Towards His Masterpiece

The question of why Doyle harbored resentment against a character that brought him considerable success is both fascinating and complex. Historian and television presenter Lucy Worsley endeavors to explore this tangled relationship in her new PBS documentary series, Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle, premiering on December 8. Through this three-part series, Worsley seeks to uncover the depth of Doyle’s feelings towards Holmes and the factors that contributed to this peculiar animosity.

Doyle’s Struggles and Their Impact on His Writing

Worsley’s investigation dives into Doyle’s personal struggles, including his experiences with financial insecurity, toxic masculinity, and imperial pride. The series reveals how these themes intertwined with his literary career and ultimately influenced his most iconic character.

Worsley posits that Doyle’s disdain for Holmes may have roots in his challenging upbringing. Despite the fortune and acclaim Holmes brought him, Doyle regarded this character as “low-brow,”a reputation he struggled with as he sought social elevation. Having ascended to the upper echelons of society, Doyle was determined to maintain that status, viewing Holmes as a potential threat to his hard-won achievements. Worsley comments:

“When he was growing up, his mother was kind of just clutching onto the bottom of gentility… There wasn’t much money when he was growing up in Edinburgh, and his father was absent due to an alcohol disorder. These were dark family secrets… What he wanted to do was to climb up out of all of that and to become a great man of letters. And he saw Sherlock as sort of pulling him down again.”

A Complex Relationship of Dependence

The documentary reveals that Doyle’s relationship with Sherlock Holmes was deeply nuanced. Although he sought to distance himself from Holmes—having previously killed him off in The Adventure of the Final Problem—he later felt compelled to resurrect the character due to popular demand. This decision, though perhaps unenthusiastic, showcased the unbreakable bond between the author’s legacy and his most famous creation, as Doyle found himself financially reliant on his detective.

Personal Reflections on the Writer’s Mindset

Worsley’s investigation also raises intriguing questions about Doyle’s own insecurities. Trained as a physician and yearning for military recognition, Doyle may have subconsciously channeled himself into Dr. John Watson, Holmes’ steadfast friend. This duality may have sown jealousy toward Holmes, a character addressed as if real by fans—a stark contrast to Doyle’s personal aspirations. Worsley concurs, suggesting the possibility that Doyle’s feelings were indeed laced with jealousy.

Psychoanalyzing the Mind of Arthur Conan Doyle

What makes Holmes vs. Doyle particularly compelling is its exploration of the unknown psychological dimensions of Doyle’s relationship with Holmes. While the documentary cannot definitively decode Doyle’s thoughts during the creation of his legendary detective, Worsley’s insights allow viewers to engage in their own analysis of this complex figure.

Documentary Details and Viewing Information

Lucy Worsley’s Holmes vs. Doyle is set to air from December 8 to December 22 at 8 PM ET on PBS, as well as on PBS.org and the PBS app. For viewers in the U.K., the complete series titled Killing Sherlock: Lucy Worsley on the Case of Conan Doyle is available on BBC iPlayer.

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