Meet the real-life Scottish surgeon who inspired Sherlock Holmes

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation of the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes has captivated readers for generations, leading to numerous adaptations across various media. However, the real-life inspiration behind Holmes remains relatively unknown to many. A Scottish surgeon named Joseph Bell, who taught Doyle during his medical studies at the University of Edinburgh, is believed to be the basis for the legendary sleuth.

Medical historian Lindsey Fitzharris has penned a detailed biography, "Sleuth-Hound: The Case of the Real Sherlock Holmes," shedding light on Bell's remarkable life and work. A passionate science communicator, Fitzharris previously authored "The Butchering Art" (2017) and "The Facemaker" (2022), chronicling the lives of Scottish surgical trailblazers Joseph Lister and Harold Gillies, respectively.

Fitzharris also hosted the Smithsonian Channel documentary "The Curious Life and Death Of…" (2020), exploring the intriguing stories behind various notorious deaths. In 2022, she and her husband Adrian Teal released an illustrated children's book, "Dead Ends! Flukes, Flops, and Failures that Sparked Medical Marvels," showcasing the triumphs born from medical setbacks.