Joseph Bell
Overview
Joseph Bell, JP
, DL
, FRCS (2 December 1837 – 4 October 1911) was a famous Scottish
lecturer at the medical school of the University of Edinburgh
in the 19th century. He is perhaps best known as an inspiration for the literary character Sherlock Holmes
.
He was a great-grandson of Benjamin Bell
, a forensic surgeon. In his instruction, 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.
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, DL
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
, FRCS (2 December 1837 – 4 October 1911) was a famous Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
lecturer at the medical school of the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in the 19th century. He is perhaps best known as an inspiration for the literary character Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
.
He was a great-grandson of Benjamin Bell
Benjamin Bell
Benjamin Bell of Hunthill FRSE FRCSE is considered by many to be the first Scottish scientific surgeon. He is commonly described as the 'father of the Edinburgh school of surgery', or the first of the Edinburgh scientific surgeons,,...
, a forensic surgeon. In his instruction, 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.
