Mycroft Holmes

The indispensable man who solves crises without ever leaving his chair.

Mycroft Holmes is the elder brother of Sherlock Holmes by seven years, appearing in stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle from 1893 to 1908. A government official and founding member of the Diogenes Club, he possesses deductive abilities exceeding his brother's, though his utility is limited by a dislike of fieldwork. He features prominently in "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter" and "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans", with brief roles or mentions in "The Final Problem" and "The Adventure of the Empty House".

In the former, Sherlock notes Mycroft's superior observation skills but lack of energy to verify solutions. Sherlock says that at times his brother is the British government itself. He resides in Pall Mall, walks daily between Whitehall and his lodgings, and occupies the Diogenes Club from quarter to five until twenty to eight. Physically, he is much larger and stouter than Sherlock, with peculiarly light, watery grey eyes.

Quick Facts

Series: Sherlock Holmes
First: "The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter" (1893)
Last: "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans" (1908)
Creator: Arthur Conan Doyle
Occupation: Government official
Gender: Male
Family: Sherlock Holmes (brother)
Nationality: British

Lore & Background

Mycroft's life revolves around a rigid routine: walking from his Pall Mall rooms to Whitehall for work, then returning to the Diogenes Club from quarter to five until twenty to eight. He seldom deviates from these three locations. At the club, he takes snuff from a tortoise-shell box and brushes grains off his coat with a large red silk handkerchief. His role in the government is unique; Sherlock states that while others are specialists, Mycroft's specialty is "omniscience." Although he audits books for the British government, his true function is to focus disparate factors into a single coherent view. Despite being "the most indispensable man in the country," he receives neither honour nor title, earning a modest salary of £450 annually as recorded in 1895. He reads Watson's accounts with interest and is the only character to address Sherlock exclusively by his first name.

Reader's Guide

His physical description is consistent: tall, portly, and massive, with a suggestion of "uncouth physical inertia." He smokes in armchairs at Baker Street but prefers the silence of the Diogenes Club. Remember that Mycroft's salary was £450, and he lives in Pall Mall, never far from Whitehall or the club.

Did You Know?

His relatively modest annual salary in 'The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans', which takes place in 1895, is £450.
In 'The Final Problem', Mycroft disguises himself as a coachman wearing a heavy black cloak tipped with red to help Sherlock escape.