Agatha Christie created the fictional Belgian detective known as Hercule Poirot. Hercule Poirot appeared in 33 novels and 51 short stories. Poirot is one of Christie’s most popular characters, along with
Miss Marple.
Poirot has appeared in films and TV, and has been portrayed by Albert Finney, Peter Ustinov, Ian Holm, Tony Randall, Alfred Molin, and David Suchet. The names of two other fictional detectives make up the name Hercule Poirot; Marie Belloc Lowndes' Hercule Popeau and Frank Howel Evans' Monsieur Poiret. Another influence in the creation of Hercule Poirot is the creator of
Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Poirot's physical appearance is similar to A. E. W. Mason's fictional detective, Inspector Hanaud of the French Surete, who appeared six years earlier. Poirot last appeared in the novel Curtain published 1975, a year before the death of Agatha Christie. Poirot's obituary appeared in the New York Times on August 6, 1975.
