James Mortimer

The doctor who brings the Baskerville case to Sherlock Holmes.

Dr. James Mortimer is the man who brings the case of The Hound of the Baskervilles to Sherlock Holmes. He asks for Holmes's aid and begins by reading him a legend that has run in the Baskerville family since the time of the English Civil War, when Sir Hugo Baskerville kidnapped a farmer's daughter.

Quick Facts

First appears:

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Known associates:

Sir Henry Baskerville
Sherlock Holmes
Dr. Watson

Lore & Background

Mortimer explains that his friend, the philanthropic baronet Sir Charles Baskerville, took the legend very seriously and had a weak heart. When Sir Charles's body was found in a yew alley with an expression of horror on his face, the death was put down to cardiac arrest, but Mortimer had secretly noticed large canine paw prints near the body. As executor of Sir Charles's will, he fears it may not be wise to bring the heir, Sir Henry, to Dartmoor.

Reader's Guide

Mortimer travels to Dartmoor with Watson and Sir Henry, where they learn that Selden, a convicted murderer, has escaped from Princetown Prison and is loose on the moor. After the case he and Sir Henry leave on a sea voyage to repair the baronet's shattered nerves.