Conan Doyle And Joseph Bell: The Real Sherlock Holmes, Surgeons' Hall Museums, Edinburgh
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This is a small but fascinating exhibition on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his teacher, the surgeon Joseph Bell, who was his inspiration for Sherlock Holmes. Bell's ability to learn much about his patients simply from his powers of observation is legendary, and several examples are given in this show.
Conan Doyle abandoned medicine after 10 years to concentrate on writing, which brought him fame and financial success. In a film made in 1929, the year before his death, he recounts the background of his books. And, in a letter to Bell, Doyle wrote: "It is most certainly to you that I owe Sherlock Holmes... round the centre of deduction and inference and observation which I have heard you inculcate I have tried to build up a man."
The exhibition shows drawings and paintings by Conan Doyle's artist father, whose work became increasingly bizarre as he lapsed into insanity, leaving the family in financial difficulty. Also on display are first editions of Conan Doyle's books, letters to his friends and vignettes of his associates. In addition, the history of the Bell family, which produced four generations of eminent surgeons, gives an interesting picture of the development of surgery in Edinburgh.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments