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Can you solve a mystery before Sherlock Holmes? - Alex Rosenthal

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TEDEd Animation

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One day in the fall, you called upon your friend, Sherlock Holmes, and found him in conversation with Jabez Wilson. Wilson had been working for the mysterious League of Red-Headed Men. Today, he arrived at work to find the group had disappeared, and now turns to Holmes to make sense of the events. Follow the detective and see if you can solve this adaptation of one of Sherlock’s most famous cases.

Additional Resources for you to Explore

"The Red-Headed League" is one among 56 short stories Sir Arthur Conan Doyle centered around his famous detective character, Sherlock Holmes. The piece was first published in 1891, appearing in The Strand Magazine with illustrations by Sidney Paget, and was ranked by Conan Doyle himself as his second-favorite Holmes story, attributing his choice to the "originality of the plot."  

Since being put to paper, the character of Sherlock Holmes has seen countless iterations in film, television, theater, and other media that vary in loyalty to Conan Doyle's original vision (watch the TED-Ed video Who IS Sherlock Holmes? for more on the iconic character's place in popular culture). "The Red-Headed League" alone has taken a number of forms, including this 1985 TV adaptation starring Jeremy Brett as the titular detective.    

Aside from their memorable characters, Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories have delighted audiences for over a century because of their mind-bending mysteries with clever solutions. "The Red-Headed League" is just one example of a story where logical problem-solving and keen observation can help readers crack the case. Before you take on your next one, pick up some tips from this article titled, "What Sherlock Holmes Can Teach Us About Problem Solving." And for more riddle-solving practice, check out this collection of TED-Ed videos.  

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Alex Rosenthal
  • Director Skirmanta Jakaitė, Art Shot
  • Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Sound Designer Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Producer Anna Bechtol, Sazia Afrin
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal

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