Dr. Joe Bell: Model for Sherlock Holmes

by Ely Liebow

     A distinguished physician and professor of medicine at Edinburgh University, and a forensic expert for the British Crown, Joseph Bell was well known for his remarkable powers of observation and deduction. In what would become true Sherlockian fashion, he had the ability to deduce facts about his patients from otherwise unremarkable details. In one instance recounted by Arthur Conan Doyle himself—and similar to Sherlock Holmes's own observations in "The Greek Interpreter"—Bell took little time to determine that one of his patients had recently served in the army, a non-commissioned officer discharged from his Highland regiment stationed in “The man was a respectful man, but did not remove his hat. They do not in the army, but he would have learned civilian ways had he been long discharged. He has an air of authority and he is obviously Scottish. As to Barbados, his complaint is elephantitis, which is West Indian and not British.”      Based on extensive research into the life of Bell and including tantalizing accounts of the connections between Bell and Conan Doyle, this biography is required reading for anyone interested in Victorian medicine, in the history of detective fiction, and in Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Genres: Biography

286 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1982

Reviews

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first discovered Dr. Bell through the excellent BBC series "Murder Rooms." In retrospect, that depiction is somewhat harsher than the reality -- and the real man is indeed far more astonishing in his accomplishments. Bell was a prolific editor and writer, rapidly proved himself an accomplished physician, surgeon, and forward thinker, and corresponded and/or was educated among some of the finest individuals the Victorian era had to offer; he set up the first nursing school in Scotland (with a few tips from Florence Nightengale), mentored Arthur Conan Doyle, and was a favorite of Queen Victoria, among other things.

If you have any interest in all at the forefathers of modern medicine, or at the remarkable man responsible for inspiring Sherlock Holmes, or are even a bit curious as to whether he may have solved the Jack the Ripper murders (yes, really), read this. Buy it. It's worth having on your shelf.

[Bill Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book appears to be the only detailed biography of Dr. Joseph Bell, the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.

Liebow discusses the degree to which many of the earlier fictional detectives were factored in to the Sherlock Holmes character, notably Gaboriau's Monsieur Lecoq and Poe's M. Dupin.


Bell family was important in medicine in Edinburgh over many generations. Dr. Joe Bell's great grandfather was Dr. Benjamin Bell who was the first doctor in Edinburgh to restrict his practice to surgery. He published his "System of Surgery" which ran to seven editions and was translated to German and French.

Bell attended Edinburgh University, the most celebrated medical school in the world at the time. It was far ahead of England in many branches of medicine, notably surgery. Two graduates established the first medical school in America, at Philadelphia. The author describes many of the outstanding medical men of the time. The book is interesting for it's medical history.

Liebow shows why Dr. Joseph Bell was the primary model for Sherlock Holmes. He relates many anecdotes demonstrating Bell's ability to make important observations and derive conclusions from them - his "Method". He took on many investigations for the government, the details of which were never revealed. He and Dr. Littlejohn investigated the case of Jack, The Ripper. He and an associate came to the same conclusions as to the identity of the murderer and notified Scotland Yard. At this point, the murders came to an end.

Bell is also remembered for his outstanding work in furthering the nursing. He published the "Nurses Manual", to guide instruction.

[Lonette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Sherlock Holmes ever since, as a teenager, I read my first Holmes mystery. I enjoyed learning about the man who was the model for Great Detective. Joe Bell had a full life full that impacted not only his young assistant, Arthur Conan Doyle, but the advancement of 19th century medicine and forensics as well.

Joe Bell was a dedicated husband and father, and some of my favorite parts of the book dealt with his relationships with this family. He was a deeply religious man and relied heavily on his faith to sustain him through the loss of his wife and son. Of the former, he wrote, "The blow is such a fearful one in its suddenness and intensity that I cannot realize it in the least, but I would honestly take it as sent by God for a good purpose in His infinite wisdom and love and would not rebel. Indeed I love my Saviour because He has been so good to my darling… and as I believe giving her an entrance to His kingdom." On her tombstone was written, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."

Although slow in places, for the most part I found this biography an enjoyable read.

[Rebecca A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filling in the historical and inspirational blanks about the creation of Sherlock Holmes!