Which literary detective is Gregory House based on in House M.D.?

Gregory House is based on Sherlock Holmes in House M.D. The series adapts many elements of Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories into a medical setting.

Both characters solve difficult cases through observation, deduction, and unusual explanations that other people overlook. House's surname resembles “Holmes,” and his friend James Wilson parallels Dr. John Watson. The address 221B Baker Street, Holmes's famous London home, is also referenced through House's apartment number in the series.

House and Holmes share additional traits, including drug use, musical ability, emotional distance, and a preference for intellectual puzzles over ordinary social interaction. Their methods are compelling but often place colleagues and friends under strain.

The comparison is an inspiration rather than a literal adaptation. House solves medical mysteries instead of crimes, and the hospital replaces Holmes's consulting-detective practice. The parallel became one of the show's most frequently discussed structural features.