Conversation so far:
Who was the inspiration for the Holmes?
Edgar Allan Poe's C.
Auguste Dupin is generally acknowledged as the first detective in fiction and served as the prototype.
How did Poe inspire Holmes?
Conan Doyle once wrote, "Each [of Poe's detective stories] is a root from which a whole literature has developed...
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
Other inspirations have been considered.
What other inspirations have been considered?
Conan Doyle repeatedly said that Holmes was inspired by the real-life figure of Joseph Bell.

Question: Who was Joseph Bell?
Self-contained rewrite: Who was Joseph Bell?