Which fictional detective is Gregory House modeled partly after in House M.D.?

Gregory House is modeled partly after Sherlock Holmes in House M.D.

The connection appears in the character's name, his deductive approach, and the structure of many stories. “House” echoes “Holmes,” while Wilson's name recalls Dr. John Watson, Holmes's friend and narrative counterpart. Like Holmes, House notices obscure clues, treats diagnosis as a puzzle, and can be dismissive of ordinary social conventions.

The series also includes a musical clue: House plays a guitar, while Sherlock Holmes is famously associated with the violin. House's apartment number, 221B, references the Baker Street address traditionally associated with Holmes.

House is not a direct adaptation of a Sherlock Holmes story. Instead, the medical drama reworks detective-fiction ideas in a hospital setting. The show's creators drew on the detective's methods while giving House a distinct profession, personality, and medical world.