Sherlockian Classifiers

 As a fan of Sherlock Holmes who interacts with other fans of Sherlock Holmes over decades, I've alway felt that unnecessary urge to somehow find order and patterns in our legion of co-enthusiasts. The human mind likes to categorize things, and Sherlockiana is an ever-changing mass of humanity that sure looks like it can be categorized -- much like the Sherlockian canon looks like it can be put in date order. So one occasionally tries.

The very first set of categories that I ever considered breaking Sherlockiana into was local and national, back when international mingling was more rare. Eventually, it seemed like local, regional, national, and international were a better geographic breakdown. Of course, there are arguments to be had there, as some regions sure seem national due to a heavier populace of fans, and what the heck is the internet? The John H. Watson Society often feels like a local club that extends over a chunk of the globe. The Barque Lone Star is larger, with a more regional, even national feel, but again crossing so many geographic boundaries that it's hard to pin down. 

The Baker Street Irregulars, centered in New York City every January, always felt national, prides itself on being a bit international, yet can't help but be a bit regional by the simple fact that those who can take a train into the city can be there easier than those who fly. And with the recent announcement of a Midwest BSI Canonical Conclave of Scion Societies -- definitely sounding regional -- that some folks outside of the middle of the U.S. don't want to miss . . . well, it just shows that the lines we draw are just never that solid.

And then we get into types of Sherlockians/Holmesians, which is an even more complex business. Most of us are not limited to being one type of Sherlockian, but mixy-matchy combos of particular Sherlockian types.

The Organizers. At one point, someone called them "sparking plugs," those folks who start and run scion societies. But some event planners don't tie themselves down with a standing herd to corral like a specific club, and fit into this bunch just the same.

The Scholarly. Historians, literary analysts, footnote fans, and those who like to say "Conan Doyle" more often than "Dr. Watson." Doing the serious stuff.

The Professionals. Sure, next to no one is making 100% of their income from Sherlock Holmes (even Conan Doyle). But some have more of a vested interest in the man than the rest of us. People outside our hobbyist sphere associate them with Sherlock Holmes.

The Party People. Here for the social. Friends are the prime collectable and events to get to see those friends are key. "Two Sherlockians and a bottle," as the old saying goes, but these folks can dispense with the bottle.

The Collectors. Can't stop acquiring the Sherlock stuff, whether its just books or other bits that tickle the Sherlock fancy.

The Creators. Yeah, mostly writers of various breeds, but artists, crafters, and even editors and event creators can fit here. Creation is creation.

Is that enough categories? I don't know. You'd still have to take that list and rank a given Sherlockian on a 10 point scale in each of those categories to come close to capturing even a bit of who we are. And do you know what that yields, with six categories and ten possible rankings in each?

A million possible different kinds of Sherlockians. A million.

Classifying people is silly, whether its horoscopes of corporate HR "colors" schemes. Yet these are the tools we have to try to figure ourselves out.