Why Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle secretly HATED the world-famous detective
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle secretly 'despised' his character of Sherlock Holmes
He has been the world's most beloved fictional detective for almost 120 years.
But the author behind Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – secretly despised his famous creation, according to leading historian Lucy Worsley.
In a new BBC2 documentary, Ms Worsley claims Doyle only submitted his first Holmes novel in the hope he would then be allowed to pursue his real ambition: writing historical fiction.
The first novel about the detective, A Study in Scarlet, was rejected three times before being accepted by publisher Ward Lock & Co in 1886. They said the work was exactly what they were looking for: “cheap fiction.”
But the author behind Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – secretly despised his famous creation, according to leading historian Lucy Worsley. Pictured: Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock in the BBC series
Robert Downey Jr played the character in the 2009 film adaptation
Ms Worsley added that Doyle would have 'hated the fact that today, 93 years after his death, his historical novels remain unread, while his 'cheap' – but beloved – detective lives forever on our screens'. Pictured: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, 1893
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone in 1939
Mrs Worsley told The Radio Times: 'Perhaps Arthur's greatest secret was the fact that he had long hated Holmes. He blamed his detective for keeping him from achieving his dream.”
Holmes went on to appear in 60 original stories, making Doyle extremely wealthy but, according to Mrs Worsley, angry because his success distracted him from fulfilling his long-held ambition.
Mrs Worsley told The Radio Times: 'Perhaps Arthur's greatest secret was the fact that he had long hated Holmes. He blamed his detective for keeping him from achieving his dream.”
Ms Worsley added that Doyle would have 'hated the fact that today, 93 years after his death, his historical novels remain unread, while his 'cheap' – but beloved – detective lives forever on our screens'.
Holmes has been played in films and on TV by a wide range of actors, including Peter Cushing and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Lucy Worsley Investigates airs next Sunday on BBC2