House M.D. was explicitly modeled on which famous fictional detective?

House M.D. was explicitly modeled in part on Sherlock Holmes.

The connection appears in the character's name, his methods, and his relationship with Dr. James Wilson. “House” echoes “Holmes,” while Wilson echoes Dr. Watson. House relies on observation, deduction, unusual hypotheses, and a willingness to challenge accepted explanations, all traits associated with Arthur Conan Doyle's detective.

The influence is more than a naming joke. House and Holmes both live at a significant address, use addictive substances, play music, and treat difficult cases as intellectual puzzles. House M.D. transfers the detective structure from crime investigation to medical diagnosis, making symptoms and test results the clues.