The scientific Sherlock Holmes
Subtitle: cracking the case with science and forensics
By: James F. O'Brien
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Oxford, England
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 194
ISBN-13: 9780199794966
Subjects: History and criticism; Forensic sciences; Sherlock Holmes (Fictitious character); English Detective and mystery stories; Forensic Chemistry; Criminal investigation; Science in literature; History
Description: One of the most popular and widely known characters in all of fiction, Sherlock Holmes has an enduring appeal based largely on his uncanny ability to make the most remarkable deductions from the most mundane facts. O'Brien provides an in-depth look at Holmes's use of science in his investigations. He reveals that Holmes was a pioneer of forensic science, making use of fingerprinting well before Scotland Yard itself had adopted the method, and discusses mathematics, physics, biology, astronomy, meteorology, and geology, always in the context of Holmes's exploits.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Codes; title: The Sherlockian canon : review of the contents; title: How Sherlock Holmes got his start.; title: Arthur Conan Doyle; title: The influence of Edgar Allan Poe; title: The influence of Dr. Joseph Bell; title: Meet the main characters.; title: Sherlock Holmes; title: Dr. John H. Watson; title: Professor James Moriarty; title: Other important characters; title: Sherlock Holmes : pioneer in forensic science.; title: The methods of Bertillon; title: Fingerprints; title: Footprints; title: Handwritten documents; title: Printed documents; title: Cryptology; title: Dogs; title: Conclusion; title: Sherlock Holmes : chemist.; title: Introduction : Profound or eccentric?; title: Coal-tar derivatives and dyes; title: Chemical poisons; title: Asimov's view : Holmes the blundering chemist; title: Other chemicals; title: Conclusion : Profound or eccentric?; title: Sherlock Holmes : other sciences.; title: Mathematics; title: Biology; title: Physics; title: Other sciences; title: Conclusion