Hubbry Logo
Joseph BellJoseph BellMain
Open search
Joseph Bell
Community hub
Joseph Bell
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Joseph Bell
Joseph Bell
Joseph Bell
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Bell's house in Melville Crescent, Edinburgh (centre)

Key Information

Dr Joseph Bell's grave, Dean Cemetery

Joseph Bell FRCSE (2 December 1837 – 4 October 1911) was a Scottish surgeon and lecturer at the medical school of the University of Edinburgh in the 19th century. He is best known as an inspiration for the literary character Sherlock Holmes.[2][3]

Early life

[edit]

Bell was the son of Cecilia Barbara Craigie (1813–1882) and Benjamin Bell (1810–1883), and a great-grandson of Benjamin Bell, considered to be the first Scottish scientific surgeon. Bell studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh Medical School and received an MD in 1859 presenting the thesis "Epithelial cancer: its pathology and treatment".[4] During his time as a student, he was a member of the Royal Medical Society and delivered a dissertation which is still in possession of the society today.[4]

Career

[edit]

In his instruction, Joseph Bell emphasized the importance of close observation in making a diagnosis. To illustrate this, he would often pick a stranger, and by observing him, deduce his occupation and recent activities. These skills caused him to be considered a pioneer in forensic science, (forensic pathology in particular)[citation needed] at a time when science was not yet widely used in criminal investigation.

He served as personal surgeon to Queen Victoria whenever she visited Scotland. He also published several medical textbooks. Bell was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd), a justice of the peace, and a deputy lieutenant. In 1867 Bell was elected a member of the Harveian Society of Edinburgh and served as president in 1897.[5] In 1876 he was elected a member of the Aesculapian Club.[6] He was elected president of the RCSEd in 1887.

Bell wrote the book Manual of the Operations of Surgery, published in 1866.[7]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1883, Bell bought 2 Melville Crescent, a large townhouse, previously the home of the engineer John Miller of Leithen.[8]

Joseph Bell died on 4 October 1911. He was buried at the Dean Cemetery in Edinburgh alongside his wife Edith Katherine (or Catherine) Erskine Murray (1840–1874) and their son Benjamin, and next to his parents' and brother's plots. The grave is mid-way along the north wall of the northern section to the original cemetery.

Marriage and children

[edit]

The couple had five children, of whom only three survived infancy:

  • Jane (or Jean) Isabella Erskine Murray McCance (née Bell) (18 January 1866–1923)
  • Cecilia Craigie Stisted (née Bell) (7 December 1867-8 July 1955)[9]
  • Benjamin Bell (14 July 1869-17 June 1893)
  • Katherine (or Catherine) Bell (27 June 1872-Deceased)[9]
  • Stillborn son (1874)[9]

Inspiration of Sherlock Holmes

[edit]

Arthur Conan Doyle met Bell in 1877, and served as his outpatient clerk at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Doyle observed that Bell seemed to be able to diagnose patients from very little information, and notice minute details: "Dr Bell would sit in his receiving room, with a face like a Red Indian, and diagnose people as they came in, before they even opened their mouths. [...] He would tell them their symptoms and even give them details of their past life, and hardly ever would he make a mistake."[10] This ability led Doyle to model his fictional detective Sherlock Holmes on Bell.[11][10] Bell was aware of this inspiration, as Doyle wrote to him that it was "most certainly to you that I owe Sherlock Holmes".[12]

According to Irving Wallace (in an essay originally in his book The Fabulous Originals but later republished and updated in his collection The Sunday Gentleman), Bell was involved in several police investigations, mostly in Scotland, such as the Ardlamont mystery of 1893, usually with forensic expert Professor Henry Littlejohn. During the Jack the Ripper murders, Scotland Yard reached out to several prominent forensic experts to help their investigation, among them Bell and Littlejohn.[10]

Dramatization

[edit]

The BBC television series Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes was a fictionalized account of Doyle's time as Bell's clerk. The series may have exaggerated Bell's criminal investigations as well as the degree to which Holmes was based on Bell (played by Ian Richardson), and it positioned Doyle in the role of a Dr. Watson to Bell's Holmes. The original one-off production, which led to the later series, was released on DVD and VHS in the US in 2003, titled Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle – The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes.

In 2006, Stone Publishing House published a book, written by historian Dr. Robert Hume, aimed at schoolchildren titled Dr. Joseph Bell – the Original Sherlock Holmes.

In the Doctor Who episode "Tooth and Claw" in 2006, the time travelling adventurer known as the Doctor identifies himself as an ex-student of Bell to Queen Victoria.

The comic book Les dossiers du Professeur Bell by Joann Sfar is about the (fictional) supernatural adventures of Dr. Bell.

In episode 11, Season 5, of the Fox TV show House M.D., Wilson presents House with Joseph Bell's Manual Of the Operations of Surgery as a Christmas gift. The character of House is based on Holmes, who, as noted, was based in turn on Bell. In episode 14 of the show's eighth and final season, House briefly comes to believe that his biological father is a man named Thomas Bell, played by prominent Scottish actor Billy Connolly.

The novel Mr. Doyle & Dr. Bell (1997) by Howard Engel is a fictionalized account of Joseph Bell and his influence on Conan Doyle.

In Elementary, an American procedural drama television series that was introduced as a contemporary update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories of Sherlock Holmes, Holmes and Watson often work with a Detective called Marcus Bell, which is likely a nod to the real-life Joseph Bell.

Memorial

[edit]

A bronze plaque memorial was erected to Joseph Bell at 2 Melville Crescent in Edinburgh, his home for his final decades, on 8 October 2011, the centenary of his death. The plaque explains Bell's connection to Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, and was organized and funded by the Japan Sherlock Holmes Club. The building is now the Japanese Consulate in Edinburgh.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by the several people involved in the erection of the plaque (principally Takeshi Shimizu) and representatives of various Sherlock Holmes clubs and societies. All present gave a short speech on their connections to either Holmes or the project, and a speech from Professor Owen Dudley Edwards. The plaque was created and cast by Powderhall Bronze of Edinburgh.

Grave

[edit]
  • Gravestone of Joseph Bell and family
  • Bell family gravestone
    Bell family gravestone
  • Closeup of the inscription regarding Joseph Bell
    Closeup of the inscription regarding Joseph Bell

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Joseph Bell

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Joseph Bell (2 December 1837 – 4 October 1911) was a prominent Scottish surgeon and lecturer at the , best known for his exceptional powers of observation and deduction that served as the primary inspiration for the fictional detective created by his former student, . Born in into a distinguished surgical dynasty—his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were all s of the Royal College of Surgeons of (RCSEd)—Bell was educated at the and entered the at age 16, earning his M.D. in 1859 and becoming a of the RCSEd in 1863. His early career included roles as house surgeon to Professor James Syme, house physician under William Gairdner, and demonstrator in anatomy under Professor John Goodsir, before he advanced to lecturer on systematic surgery and surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of in 1871. Bell's contributions to medicine emphasized meticulous clinical observation, diagnostic precision, and the adoption of innovative techniques such as Joseph Lister's antiseptic carbolic spray, which he championed during surgeries. He also advanced pediatric care as a surgeon at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, improved nursing standards through publications like Notes on Surgery for Nurses (first edition 1883, sixth edition 1906), and supported institutions for the incurables, including Longmore Hospital. As President of the RCSEd from 1887 to 1889 and editor of the Edinburgh Medical Journal for 23 years (1873–1896), he influenced the Edinburgh School of Surgery profoundly. His seminal work, A Manual of the Operations of Surgery (first edition 1883), reached seven editions and became a standard text. In his teaching at and the Royal Infirmary, Bell demonstrated by analyzing patients' appearances and histories to diagnose conditions accurately, a method that captivated students like Conan Doyle, who clerked under him in 1878 and later credited Bell explicitly as the model for Holmes's analytical prowess in letters and interviews. Bell also served as personal to during her Scottish visits and held positions such as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of . He married Catherine Murray in 1865, with whom he had one son (a Seaforth Highlanders officer who died post-operation) and two daughters; after her death in 1874, he did not remarry. Bell's legacy endures not only in surgical practice but also in through the enduring archetype of the observant detective.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Birth

Joseph Bell was born on December 2, 1837, in , , to Benjamin Bell, a prominent surgeon and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of , and his wife, Cecilia Barbara Craigie. Bell belonged to a distinguished surgical dynasty in that spanned generations, with his great-grandfather, Benjamin Bell (1749–1806), recognized as the first Scottish scientific surgeon for his systematic approach to surgery, emphasis on observation, and contributions to surgical literature, including his influential work A System of Surgery. His grandfather, Joseph Bell (1786–1848), and father, Benjamin Bell (1810–1883), continued this legacy as skilled surgeons in , with the latter also authoring a memoir on his grandfather's life and work, further cementing the family's impact on the local medical community. Growing up in this environment in , Bell was immersed from an early age in discussions of and , as his home served as a hub for the family's professional pursuits. This upbringing naturally sparked his initial interest in , shaped by the legacy of innovation and dedication exemplified by his forebears. He later transitioned to formal schooling at the .

Formal Education and Early Influences

Joseph Bell began his formal education at the Edinburgh Academy at the age of ten, where he demonstrated exceptional aptitude in sciences and classics, laying a strong foundation for his future medical pursuits. This early academic success, influenced by his family's longstanding surgical heritage in Edinburgh, motivated his interest in medicine. At the age of sixteen in 1853, Bell enrolled at the , embarking on a rigorous six-year program that prepared him for a career in . He passed his final examinations before reaching twenty-one and graduated with an MD degree in 1859, submitting a thesis titled "On Epithelial Cancer" that explored surgical aspects of the disease. During his studies, Bell was profoundly shaped by mentorship from leading professors, including James Syme, the renowned surgeon and father-in-law of , whose clinical methods emphasized precision and antisepsis. He also served for two years as a demonstrator in under Professor John Goodsir, engaging in early dissections that sharpened his meticulous attention to detail. These experiences extended to initial clinical observations in the university wards and infirmary, where Bell honed his exceptional diagnostic skills through close scrutiny of patients' appearances and behaviors, foreshadowing his later reputation for in medicine.

Professional Career

Military Service and Early Practice

Following his graduation with an MD from the in 1859, Joseph Bell began his professional career as a resident house at the Royal Infirmary of , serving under the esteemed James Syme. In this position during the early 1860s, Bell focused on , managing diverse cases from routine procedures to complex interventions in a demanding hospital setting that served as a primary training ground for aspiring surgeons. His role involved direct patient care, including preoperative assessments, surgical assistance, and postoperative management, which built his foundational expertise in clinical diagnostics and operative techniques. By 1871, Bell had advanced to the position of in Charge at the Royal Infirmary, a promotion that reflected his growing proficiency and enabled him to lead surgical teams and oversee ward operations. This appointment coincided with broader reforms in Edinburgh's medical infrastructure, allowing Bell to apply his methodical approach to improving patient outcomes amid increasing caseloads from urban growth and industrial injuries. Parallel to his hospital commitments, Bell established an early private practice in around this period, attracting patients through his reputation for precise observation and effective treatment in . His private consultations emphasized thorough examinations and tailored interventions, laying the groundwork for a sustained career that balanced institutional and independent work.

Surgical Lectures and Innovations

In 1865, at the age of 26, Joseph Bell began lecturing on systematic surgery in Surgeons' Square at the , where he attracted large classes of enthusiastic students. Later in his career, he advanced to the role of lecturer in clinical surgery, continuing to influence through his clinical expertise. Bell's teaching was renowned for its emphasis on bedside demonstrations, where he employed deductive observation to diagnose patients based on subtle physical clues rather than relying solely on rote memorization or invasive examinations. He would scrutinize details such as calluses on hands to infer a patient's occupation—for instance, identifying a from specific hand markings or a cobbler from uneven wear on —while noting stains or odors to deduce habits, like pipe-smoking from residue. This approach fostered clinical reasoning and logical deduction among students, training them to integrate observation with medical knowledge during real-time patient interactions in the wards. Among his innovations in surgical education, Bell pioneered interactive methods to sharpen students' perceptual skills, such as challenging them to detect the bitter of a solution applied unnoticed during lectures, thereby highlighting the importance of vigilance in . He extended this to complex cases, diagnosing chronic from a patient's red nose, twitching hands, and the faint scent of whisky without direct questioning, or identifying a recent fall and from mud stains and fabric damage on clothing. In one notable instance, Bell deduced a patient's from a monogrammed band visible under the collar, avoiding unnecessary procedures and demonstrating how could reveal underlying conditions like rare injuries or exposures. These techniques revolutionized surgical training by prioritizing empirical observation over theoretical recall, enabling students to approach diagnostics holistically.

Notable Positions and Publications

Bell's professional stature in Edinburgh's medical establishment was marked by key appointments that underscored his expertise in surgery. In 1871, he was named Surgeon in Charge at the Royal Infirmary of , a role he held until 1886, during which he oversaw clinical operations and contributed to advancements in hospital nursing practices. In 1887, he transitioned to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children as its first surgeon, focusing on pediatric care; the hospital relocated to Sciennes Road in 1892 during his tenure. He also maintained consulting surgeon positions at several Edinburgh institutions, including the Royal Infirmary in a later capacity and other local hospitals, providing expert oversight on complex cases. A highlight of Bell's career was his appointment as personal surgeon to during her annual visits to , spanning the 1880s until the queen's death in 1901; in this capacity, he attended to ailments within the royal family, particularly at Balmoral. His leadership extended to the Royal College of Surgeons of , where he served as Secretary and Treasurer from 1876 to 1887 before being elected President from 1887 to 1889. Complementing these roles, Bell was commissioned as a for , leveraging his medical acumen in legal proceedings, especially those involving and injury assessment. Bell's publications advanced surgical knowledge and reflected his practical experience. His seminal text, A Manual of the Operations of Surgery, first appeared in 1866 and evolved through seven editions during his lifetime, with expanded multi-volume versions published between 1883 and 1886 that systematically described operative techniques, emphasizing precision and antisepsis. As editor of the for 23 years, Bell contributed and curated numerous articles on diagnostic methods—highlighting observational deduction—and orthopedic interventions, influencing contemporary and practice. These writings were shaped by his teaching at the , where he stressed hands-on application in clinical settings.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Joseph Bell married Erskine Murray, daughter of the Honourable James Erskine Murray, in 1865. His wife died nine years later on 9 November 1874 from puerperal following the birth of their fifth child. The couple had five children in total, though only three survived to adulthood: two daughters, Jane (or Jean) Isabella Erskine Murray Bell (18 January 1866–1923, later McCance) and Cecilia Craigie Bell (7 December 1867–8 January 1948, later Stisted), and one son, Benjamin Joseph Bell (17 June 1870–17 June 1893). The family resided at 2 Melville Crescent in Edinburgh's West End during much of Bell's career. Edith provided essential support for Bell's demanding professional life, managing the household during his periods of absence. This family structure contributed to Bell's personal stability amid his intensive surgical and lecturing commitments. The surgical legacy continued briefly through Benjamin, who became a lieutenant in the but died young on 17 June 1893 at age 23 following an operation.

Community Involvement and Later Years

Throughout his later career, Joseph Bell served as a in , where he applied his medical expertise to resolve local disputes, often conducting examinations reminiscent of forensic analysis to determine facts in cases involving injury or health-related matters. He was deeply engaged in Edinburgh's medical community, holding key leadership roles such as Secretary and Treasurer of the Royal College of Surgeons of from 1876 to 1887, and serving as its President from 1887 to 1889. Bell also contributed to charitable health initiatives, notably helping to establish the (later known as Longmore Hospital) in 1893, which provided care for patients with chronic and terminal conditions among the city's poor, reflecting his commitment to extending surgical duty beyond acute cases to long-term support. Bell retired from active surgical practice at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children around the , transitioning to consulting roles while dealing with emerging health concerns. Despite these limitations, he remained active in advisory capacities, drawing on his renowned diagnostic skills until his condition worsened. His health had begun to decline significantly by early , when he noted "heart weak" in his personal diary, signaling the onset of cardiac issues. Joseph Bell died on October 4, 1911, at his country home, Mauricewood in Milton Bridge, , at the age of 73, with heart disease recorded as the cause on his . His passing prompted widespread tributes within the medical profession; the funeral in drew a large attendance of peers, including prominent surgeons and colleagues from the Royal College of Surgeons, underscoring his enduring influence and respect among contemporaries.

Legacy and Influence

Inspiration for Sherlock Holmes

Arthur Conan Doyle enrolled as a medical student at the in 1876 and graduated in 1881, during which period he first encountered Joseph Bell, a prominent and at the . In his third year, Doyle served as Bell's outpatient clerk at the Royal Infirmary of , where he closely observed Bell's clinical demonstrations and teaching methods. These sessions highlighted Bell's exceptional skill in diagnosing patients through keen observation and logical inference, often deducing personal details without direct questioning. Doyle openly acknowledged Bell as the primary inspiration for , the fictional detective renowned for his deductive prowess. In a letter to Bell dated May 4, 1892, Doyle wrote, "It is most certainly to you that I owe ," crediting Bell's emphasis on observation, deduction, and inference as the foundation for the character's analytical approach. He reiterated this connection in his 1924 autobiography Memories and Adventures, describing how Bell's demonstrations during lectures shaped the detective's methodology. Bell's diagnostic techniques bore striking parallels to Holmes' methods, particularly in inferring a patient's history and background from subtle physical clues. For instance, Bell routinely examined patients' hands to identify calluses or marks indicative of their trade or occupation, such as those from manual labor or specific professions, thereby constructing a comprehensive profile before eliciting verbal confirmation. This observational precision directly informed Holmes' ability to unravel mysteries through seemingly trivial details, transforming medical diagnostics into a model for literary detection. To honor this influence, Doyle dedicated his 1892 collection to Bell, inscribing it "To My Old Teacher, Joseph Bell, M.D., &c. of 2, Melville Crescent, ," and accompanied the gift with the aforementioned letter expressing his gratitude. This gesture underscored the profound impact Bell had on Doyle's creative process, cementing the surgeon's role as the real-life prototype for one of literature's most iconic figures.

Dramatizations in Media

Joseph Bell's connection to has been portrayed in various media adaptations, often highlighting his role as Arthur Conan 's mentor and the real-life inspiration for the detective's observational skills. In adaptations, Bell appears as a character in the 2001 series Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real , a spin-off from the Granada Sherlock Holmes series, where he is depicted solving crimes alongside a young , played by and Charles Edwards, respectively. The pilot episode, The Dark Beginnings of , aired in 2000 and frames Bell's deductive prowess as the foundation for Holmes' methods. The series, which ran for five episodes, dramatizes historical cases investigated by Bell, emphasizing his forensic innovations and influence on . Dedicated documentary works have explored Bell's life and legacy. The 2002 BBC documentary Sherlock Holmes: The Real Story features interviews and reenactments of Bell's diagnostic demonstrations at Edinburgh University, portraying him as the prototype for Holmes' logical reasoning. Fictionalized biographies have brought Bell's story to print and stage. Wallace Edwards' 2013 book The Real Life Sherlock Holmes: A Biography of Joseph Bell blends historical facts with narrative dramatizations of Bell's consultations and consultations with Doyle, presenting him as a pioneer of forensic science. On stage, Peter Colley's play The Real Sherlock Holmes, premiered in 2022 at the Lighthouse Festival Theatre and with subsequent productions in 2023 and 2024 at other venues, depicts Bell and Doyle collaborating on mysteries, contrasting their personalities while showcasing Bell's observational talents as the spark for Holmes. In modern media since 2010, podcasts have delved into Bell's influence on true crime narratives that shaped Holmes. The 2014 Futility Closet podcast episode "The Real-Life Sherlock Holmes" recounts Bell's legendary patient diagnoses and their role in inspiring detective fiction, linking his methods to contemporary true crime fascination. Likewise, the 2016 Legends of Surgery episode on Bell examines his surgical innovations and deductive skills, connecting them to Holmes' crime-solving hobbies and their enduring appeal in podcasts exploring medical history. Articles in outlets like Scottish Field (2019) have further popularized these portrayals, discussing Bell's Edinburgh cases as precursors to Holmes' investigative style.

Memorials and Recognition

Joseph Bell is buried in Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh, in a plot shared with his , Edith Katherine Erskine Murray (1840–1874), their son Benjamin (1870–1893), and other family members, reflecting the prominence of the Bell surgical dynasty in 19th-century Scottish medicine. The grave, located in the northern extension along Dean Path, remains a site of historical interest due to Bell's contributions to surgical education and his influence on forensic observation techniques. A plaque was erected at 2 Melville Crescent, —Bell's residence during his later years—on 8 2011, marking the centenary of his death and commemorating his role as a pioneering and educator in a family line of distinguished professionals. This tribute highlights the enduring legacy of the Bells, including his father Benjamin Bell and ancestors who advanced surgical practices in . In recognition of Bell's contributions to medical history, the 2011 centenary prompted several events and tributes in Edinburgh, including academic discussions on his urological teachings and diagnostic methods at the University of Edinburgh, where he had lectured. That same year, Bell's family donated personal items, such as medical instruments and manuscripts, to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, which now form part of ongoing exhibits at Surgeons' Hall Museums emphasizing his observational legacy in surgery. These displays, integrated into the History of Surgery Museum, underscore Bell's innovations in clinical deduction and his influence on modern medical training. Additional honors include a of Bell by an unknown photographer, held in the , which captures his professional stature and serves as an institutional tribute to his career. While no statues dedicated to Bell exist in , the museums' collections provide tangible exhibits of his work, including pathological specimens he presented, reinforcing his impact on .

References

  1. https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/Joseph_Bell,_M.D.,_F.R.C.S.E.,_F.R.S.E.,_J.P.
  2. https://archiveandlibrary.rcsed.ac.uk/surgeon/3769275-joseph-bell
  3. https://www.pastmedicalhistory.co.uk/dr-joseph-bell-the-real-life-sherlock-holmes/
  4. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography%2C_1885-1900/Bell%2C_Benjamin
  5. https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/Joseph_Bell%2C_M.D.%2C_F.R.C.S.E.%2C_F.R.S.E.%2C_J.P.
  6. https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/b/josephbell.html
  7. https://hekint.org/2019/07/16/joseph-bell-and-conan-doyle/
  8. https://hekint.org/2017/01/29/joseph-bell-supreme-diagnostician/
  9. https://www.geni.com/people/Dr-Joseph-Bell/6000000077487830345
  10. https://www.nytimes.com/1911/10/05/archives/shog-hiolmes-idr-bell-scottish-surgeon-was-reputed-prototype-of.html
  11. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/24564/24564-h/24564-h.htm
  12. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23514420/joseph-bell
  13. https://www.academia.edu/126900804/Dr_Joseph_Bell_1837_1911_Surgeon_Teacher_and_the_Inspiration_of_Sherlock_Holmes
  14. https://www.bmj.com/content/347/bmj.f7180
  15. https://www.scottishfield.co.uk/culture/the-scot-who-inspired-the-creation-of-sherlock-holmes/
  16. https://ourhistory.is.ed.ac.uk/index.php/Sir_Arthur_Conan_Doyle_%281859-1930%29
  17. https://www.facs.org/for-medical-professionals/news-publications/news-and-articles/bulletin/2022/03/sir-arthur-conan-doyle-md-ophthalmologist-author-and-defender-of-justice/
  18. https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/Letter_to_Mr_Bell_about_Sherlock_Holmes_%284_may_1892%29
  19. https://www.conandoyleinfo.com/sherlock-holmes/sherlock-holmes-and-dr-joseph-bell/
  20. https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/Joseph_Bell
  21. https://www.thenational.scot/culture/23201732.scots-surgeon-played-role-creation-sherlock-holmes/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0212903/
  23. https://www.amazon.com/Real-Life-Sherlock-Holmes-Inspiration/dp/1482603535
  24. https://www.canadianplayoutlet.com/products/the-real-sherlock-holmes-by-peter-colley
  25. https://www.futilitycloset.com/2014/09/29/the-real-life-sherlock-holmes/
  26. https://legendsofsurgery.libsyn.com/episode-17-dr-joseph-bell-the-real-sherlock-holmes
  27. https://androom.home.xs4all.nl/biography/p001964.htm
  28. https://www.uk.emb-japan.go.jp/en/webmagazine/2012/jan/sherlock.html
  29. https://bakerstreet.fandom.com/wiki/Joseph_Bell
  30. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22001691/
  31. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-16304394
  32. https://museum.rcsed.ac.uk/the-collection/key-collections/key-object-page?objID=2706&page=3
  33. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/75658/dr-joseph-bell-1837-1911-surgeon
  34. https://museum.rcsed.ac.uk/the-collection/key-collections/key-object-page?objID=2715&page=4
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.