First Appearance

Irene Adler was a Sherlockian Character from the story "A Scandal in Bohemia" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Published in July of 1891.

She is one of the most notable female characters in the Sherlock Holmes stories, despite the fact of appearing in only one story.


Biography

She is said to be born in New Jersey in 1858. She had a career as an opera singer. Adler retired in her early twenties and moved to London.


Dr. Watson refers to her as "the late Irene Adler" at the time of the story's publication. The reasons for her death were not stated. It has been speculated, however, that the reason of both her early retirement and her early demise was a hidden health problem. She married Godfrey Norton, making Adler her former name.


Appearances in Sherlockian Stories

"A Scandal in Bohemia" is the Holmes short story that focuses on Irene Adler, but she also is mentioned in the following stories:

• "A Case of Identity"
• "The Blue Carbuncle"
• "The Five Orange Pips"
• "His Last Bow"