BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Watson was a woman (a theory by Rex Stout)

**Posted by SusiGo** February 25, 2014 5:22 pm

Thanks to Ivmarak's hint in another thread I did a little search and came up with this historic jewel:

http://www.hwslash.net/stout.html

**Posted by Willow** February 25, 2014 6:41 pm

I love it! Thanks to both Ivmarak and SusiGo; I read it originally so many years ago that I had forgotten it until now.

A historic jewel indeed...

**Posted by nakahara** February 25, 2014 7:02 pm

Ah, so it was Rex Stout who came with that theory!
When I heard that in „Elementary“ there is a female Watson, I remembered that somebody voiced the opinion that Watson was a woman at some time. But I was not able to recall the name. I only remembered that the poor man who had that theory was then forced to leave the assembly of Baker Street Irregulars through a secret door, the members of BSI were so enraged.
Thank you so much for posting this!

**Posted by QuiteExtraordinary** February 25, 2014 8:23 pm

That was really very interesting to read.
And since Sherlock is actually a girl's name, the theory may not be too far off either.

**Posted by SherlocklivesinOH** February 26, 2014 2:09 am

I can't believe this! I was thinking about this and someone posted it. As Balki, from another (albeit very different) male-friendship show would say, "Susi must have ESPN!"

Interestingly, I know some dedicated Johnlockers who say that Stout was being homophobic. That is, he picked up on how "married couple" Holmes and Watson seem in canon, and he's grasping at ANY straw rather than acknowledge that two men are in love.

But Stout just might have come up with the answer that will please both of the main (canonical) shipping camps.

Because, think about it: If Watson were a woman in canon, what would she have to be like?

Very unconventional. Probably an actress, or at least...have a knack for dressing up as a male...

**Posted by SusiGo** February 26, 2014 7:12 am

This is really strange. And I did not know this story at all but got curious when Ivmarak mentioned it in the other tread.

**Posted by Be** February 26, 2014 8:38 am

You probably know that the name Janine is a female form of John.

Last edited by Be (February 26, 2014 8:38 am)

**Posted by SherlocklivesinOH** April 18, 2014 3:55 am

I don't know if I was being too coy before, but I was saying that if Watson was A woman s/he could be THE woman (who admits she often dresses up as a man, so she could easily assume a male identity on a regular basis to be a detective.)