# Dr. Watson — The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes character guide

> Dr. Watson in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Watson

**First appearance:** 0000-silver-blaze

## Snapshot

A former army doctor who chronicles Holmes's cases, lending the detective's cold logic a human pulse and a steady, skeptical eye.

## Who they are

Watson moves between two worlds: the quiet of his medical practice and the strange parlors where Holmes's clients unburden themselves. He is loyal to the point of self-effacement, yet he watches his friend's pale, worn face and reads tension there before Holmes speaks a word. His narration is the reader's entry into the cases—he asks the questions we would ask, and his presence keeps Holmes's brilliance from becoming mere spectacle.

## Relationships

### [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/sherlock_holmes)

_friendship_

Dr. Watson is Sherlock Holmes's loyal friend, biographer, and companion in investigations.

### [Percy Phelps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/percy_phelps)

_social_

Dr. Watson is an acquaintance of Percy Phelps, having been introduced through Holmes's investigation.

### [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/sherlock_holmes)

_friendship_

Dr. Watson is Sherlock Holmes's loyal friend, biographer, and companion in investigations.

### [Sherlock Holmes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/sherlock_holmes)

_friendship_

Dr. Watson is Sherlock Holmes's loyal friend, biographer, and companion in investigations.

### [Percy Phelps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/percy_phelps)

_social_

Dr. Watson is an acquaintance of Percy Phelps, having been introduced through Holmes's investigation.

### [Percy Phelps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/percy_phelps)

_social_

Dr. Watson is an acquaintance of Percy Phelps, having been introduced through Holmes's investigation.

## In the story

### [Silver Blaze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/silver-blaze)

Watson accompanies Holmes to Dartmoor, listens to Holmes's summary, and offers a suggestion about Straker's wound.

### [The Cardboard Box](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-cardboard-box)

Accompanies Holmes to Croydon and chronicles the case, noting Holmes's methods and the heat of the day.

### [The Yellow Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-yellow-face)

Watson accompanies Holmes on a walk and observes the unfolding case.

### [The Stockbroker's Clerk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-stockbroker-s-clerk)

Accompanies Holmes, examines the injured man, and provides medical aid.

### [The Gloria Scott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-gloria-scott)

Listener to Holmes's recounting of the Gloria Scott case.

### [The Musgrave Ritual](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-musgrave-ritual)

Listener and chronicler, prompts Holmes to share the story of the Musgrave Ritual.

### [The Reigate Puzzle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-reigate-puzzle)

Accompanies Holmes to Reigate for rest; assists in the investigation and takes blame for Holmes's deliberate distraction.

### [The Crooked Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-crooked-man)

Hosts Holmes overnight and accompanies him to Aldershot to investigate the death of Colonel Barclay.

### [The Resident Patient](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-resident-patient)

Watson accompanies Holmes on the case and offers his own theories, though Holmes gently corrects him.

### [The Greek Interpreter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-greek-interpreter)

Accompanies Holmes to the Diogenes Club and assists in the investigation and rescue.

### [The Naval Treaty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-naval-treaty)

Watson receives a letter from his old schoolfellow Percy Phelps and brings Holmes to investigate the case.

### [The Final Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/chapters/the-final-problem)

Accompanies Holmes on the Continent; recounts the final events and Holmes's disappearance.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/dr_watson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters