The Hound of the Baskervilles · Character

Dr. James Mortimer

The earnest country doctor who carries a dead man's legend to Baker Street and a living heir back to Dartmoor.

supporting

Also known as James Mortimer, Dr. Mortimer, Mortimer, James, Dr. James Mortimer

First appearance: I: Mr. Sherlock Holmes

As a supporting figure in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Dr. James Mortimer is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Visits Holmes to share the details of Sir Charles's death and the family legend.

In the storyThe Hound of the BaskervillesOpen this moment free

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Mortimer is the old-fashioned practitioner whose worn Penang lawyer and C.C.H. presentation stick tell Holmes everything before the man even speaks. He is scholarly, superstitious in a careful way, and genuinely frightened for Sir Henry, which is why he brings the case to London at all. He bridges the two worlds of the novel — the rational consulting room and the fog-bound moor — and his trust in Holmes sets the investigation in motion.

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See Dr. James Mortimer in I: Mr. Sherlock Holmes

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Dr. James Mortimer sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Friendship
Social
Other

Character groups

Main Cast and Suspects
Protagonist

+11 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Dr. Watson reaches his psychological breaking point, openly adm…

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Relationships

Sherlock Holmes
professional · positive
Mortimer consults Holmes professionally about the Baskerville case, bringing the legend… How this plays out →
Sir Henry Baskerville
professional · positive
Sir Charles Baskerville
friendship · positive
Mrs. Barrymore
social · positive
Sherlock Holmes
professional · positive
Mortimer consults Holmes professionally about the Baskerville case, bringing the legend… How this plays out →
Sir Henry Baskerville
professional · positive
Sir Charles Baskerville
friendship · positive
Mrs. Barrymore
social · positive
Sherlock Holmes
professional · positive
Mortimer consults Holmes professionally about the Baskerville case, bringing the legend… How this plays out →
Sir Henry Baskerville
professional · positive
Sir Charles Baskerville
friendship · positive

Sherlock Holmes
Mortimer consults Holmes professionally about the Baskerville case, bringing the legend and facts to his attention.
Sir Henry Baskerville
Mortimer acts as the family physician and advisor to Sir Henry, helping him settle into his inheritance.
Sir Charles Baskerville
Mortimer was a close friend and physician to Sir Charles, deeply affected by his mysterious death.
Mrs. Barrymore
Mortimer knows Mrs. Barrymore as the housekeeper at Baskerville Hall, interacting with her during his visits.
Sherlock Holmes
Mortimer consults Holmes professionally about the Baskerville case, bringing the legend and facts to his attention.
Sir Henry Baskerville
Mortimer acts as the family physician and advisor to Sir Henry, helping him settle into his inheritance.
Sir Charles Baskerville
Mortimer was a close friend and physician to Sir Charles, deeply affected by his mysterious death.
Mrs. Barrymore
Mortimer knows Mrs. Barrymore as the housekeeper at Baskerville Hall, interacting with her during his visits.
Sherlock Holmes
Mortimer consults Holmes professionally about the Baskerville case, bringing the legend and facts to his attention.
Sir Henry Baskerville
Mortimer acts as the family physician and advisor to Sir Henry, helping him settle into his inheritance.
Sir Charles Baskerville
Mortimer was a close friend and physician to Sir Charles, deeply affected by his mysterious death.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Dr. James Mortimer in I: Mr. Sherlock Holmes

In the story

Dr. James Mortimer appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Hound of the Baskervilles
Visits Holmes to share the details of Sir Charles's death and the family legend.
I: Mr. Sherlock Holmes
Visits Holmes to consult on a serious problem; described as tall, thin, with a beaked nose and gold-rimmed glasses; a man of science with an interest in skulls.
The Curse of the Baskervilles
Visits Holmes with the manuscript and newspaper, recounts Sir Charles's fears and the events leading to his death.
III: The Problem
Consults Holmes about Sir Charles's death and the Baskerville curse, expresses fear for Sir Henry's safety, and agrees to bring Sir Henry to meet Holmes.
IV: Sir Henry Baskerville
Accompanies Sir Henry to Holmes, recounts the Baskerville case, and expresses amazement at Holmes's deductions.
Three Broken Threads
Startled to learn he was followed; provides information about Barrymore and the Baskerville will; reveals he inherited a thousand pounds from Sir Charles.
Baskerville Hall
Accompanies Sir Henry; discusses the landscape and Sir Charles's head shape; assures Holmes they were not followed.
X: Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson
Gives Watson a lift in his dogcart, troubled by the disappearance of his spaniel, and identifies Mrs. Laura Lyons as Frankland's daughter.
XI: The Man on the Tor
Mentioned as having stayed late with Sir Henry playing cards.
XV: A Retrospection
Also in London with Sir Henry, having called on Holmes and Watson.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Dr. James Mortimer unlock in the free preview.

See Dr. James Mortimer in I: Mr. Sherlock Holmes

See Dr. James Mortimer in The Hound of the Baskervilles