The Master's Birthday


165th Birthday Dinner
was held on Saturday, January 19th, 2019 at the Atwater Club

Special Guest Speaker
Christopher Huang
Montreal mystery writer


See photos of
the 2019 Nirvana, the 2018 Extravaganza, the 2017 Sleuthathon, the 2016 Sherlockfest, the 2015 fiesta, the 2014 frolic, the 2013 festivities, the 2012 soirée,  2011 bash, the 2010 gala, the 2009 fête, the 2008 celebration, the 2007 event, and the 2005 dinner.


Each year, on or about January 6th, members of the Society gather to commemorate the birthday of the Master, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The great detective retired from active investigations in 1904, and now lives in retirement on the Sussex Downs in England where he writes monographs and cultivates bees. Born in 1854, he celebrated his 158th year in 2012, and we celebrate with him, as we do every year!

Our gathering takes place at a Montreal restaurant with the right period atmosphere. Following the meal, we usually have a guest speaker who is invited to choose a Sherlockian topic and share his or her thoughts with us. Guests have included Dr. Joe Schwarcz of McGill University's Office of Chemistry and Society; Pauline Rathbone, the niece of Basil Rathbone; Dr. Graeme Decarie of Concordia University and William Weintraub, Montreal author.


Patrick Campbell and David Dowse
welcome the celebrants


Toasting the Master's Health
January 1998

The evening includes appropriate toasts to "the Master", "Dr. Watson", "The Woman", "Mrs. Hudson" (without whom no celebration would be possible), and "the Society".

Members also provide part of the evening's entertainment: dramatic readings, Victorian songs, Sherlockian puzzles, and other such pieces are all popular with our members.


The late Colin Semel
Victorian Music Hall Songster


Members and guests at the 2004 dinner


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