Watson

Anybody know Dr. Watson's first name? I'm sure it must be mentioned in some story but I can't think of it currently.

His injury - Shoulder or leg? Why does it change and do we know which one Conan Doyle uses most?

Your thoughts?

The wound is in the leg, but I can't remember whether right or left. I always thought his name was John.

#2 - Any links I can persuse? I wouldn't want to stir old worms unnecessarily.

#3 - there is at least one story when it's in his shoulder, but I'll have to check which.

#5 following your links there gets you to here which answers all my questions case closed. thanks.

I also have to put in a (late) word for Dorothy L Sayer's essay on Watson's name, found in her Sayers on Holmes. Although the others are excellent (and the collection also includes the very last (or chronologically first, as it were) Lord Peter Wimsey story), her essay on Watson is delightful.

I always thought his first name was John, but I could be mistaken. On a similar note, anyone know how Doyle came up with the name Sherlock Holmes?

#8, I heard it had something to do with two cricket players Doyle liked.

Of course there are many theories and possible explanations about this. However the name Sherlock most probably arose from either a Patrick Sherlock,a contemporary of Doyle at Stonyhurst school or an Inspector Sherlock of Portsmouth.Doyle probably knew the name from his reading of the local newspapers of the time.
Holmes came most probably from the American writer Oliver Wendell Holmes,of whom Doyle had written in his book Through the Magic Door

Both of the annotated editions of the canon mention that Conan Doyle slips and calls Watson James once, and he also puts the wound in two different limbs. Such slips are part of the charm of the canon, I think.

and he also refered to the landlady at least once as "Mrs. Turner".

but for the record it was John H. Watson, and the original name for Holmes wasn't Sherlock, but Sherrinford(!).
i guess we can be thankful that Doyle rethought that idea before 'A Study In Scarlet' was released!

12> VERY thankful there is no Sherrinford Holmes! :D Doesn't quite bounce of the tongue as nicely as Sherlock Holmes, does it?

Sherrinford Holmes! Duuuuuuuuuuuude.