# Inspector Lestrade — The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes character guide

> Inspector Lestrade in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Lestrade, Lestrade

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

## Snapshot

A Scotland Yard detective who brings Holmes the cases he cannot crack, equal parts grudging respect and professional pride.

## Who they are

Lestrade represents the official machinery of justice—competent, dogged, and perpetually a step behind the truth. He turns to Holmes when a case defeats him, yet never quite surrenders his conviction that the Yard could manage without the amateur's interference. His presence grounds the stories in the real world of police work, and his occasional breakthroughs remind readers that Holmes's methods, however dazzling, are meant to be learned, not merely admired.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Inspector Lestrade is a Scotland Yard detective who frequently collaborates with and seeks Holmes's expertise.

### [Old Cunningham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/old_cunningham)

_rivalry_

Inspector Lestrade investigates Old Cunningham as a suspect in a murder case, with Holmes's help.

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

_professional_

Inspector Lestrade is a Scotland Yard detective who frequently collaborates with and seeks Holmes's expertise.

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

_professional_

Inspector Lestrade is a Scotland Yard detective who frequently collaborates with and seeks Holmes's expertise.

### [Old Cunningham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/old_cunningham)

_rivalry_

Inspector Lestrade investigates Old Cunningham as a suspect in a murder case, with Holmes's help.

### [Old Cunningham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/old_cunningham)

_rivalry_

Inspector Lestrade investigates Old Cunningham as a suspect in a murder case, with Holmes's help.

## In the story

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

Investigates the case initially, but Holmes ultimately reveals the criminal's name to him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_memoirs_of_sherlock_holmes_se/characters/inspector_lestrade
- 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