The Napoleon of Crime

Introduction

Professor James Moriarty is the arch-nemesis of Sherlock Holmes, famously described as the “Napoleon of Crime.” Though appearing directly in only a handful of Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, most notably The Final Problem (1893), Moriarty has become one of the most enduring villains in detective fiction.

Literary Role

Moriarty’s primary function in the canon is to serve as Holmes’s intellectual equal and mortal adversary. In The Final Problem, Holmes reveals that Moriarty is the mastermind behind a vast criminal network operating across Europe. Their confrontation culminates at the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland, where both characters apparently plunge to their deaths.

Doyle introduced Moriarty late in the series to provide a means of “killing” Holmes when he attempted to end the stories. When Holmes was later resurrected due to public demand, Moriarty’s shadow continued to loom as a symbolic adversary, referenced in subsequent tales despite his physical absence.

Characterisation

Moriarty is described as a mathematical genius, a man of refined intellect who turned his brilliance to crime. Holmes portrays him as both cultured and ruthless, commanding loyalty through fear. Unlike the eccentric but moral detective, Moriarty represents the darker application of logic and organisation, creating a symmetrical rivalry that has fascinated readers for over a century.

Moriarty in Adaptations

• Stage and Film: From early silent films to modern cinema, Moriarty often takes centre stage as Holmes’s ultimate opponent.
• Classic Portrayals: George Zucco, Lionel Atwill, and Henry Daniell embodied him in the Basil Rathbone films of the 1930s–40s.
• Modern Film: Jared Harris portrayed him in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) opposite Robert Downey Jr.
• Television: Andrew Scott’s flamboyant Moriarty in BBC’s Sherlock (2010–17) became iconic, while Lars Mikkelsen played him in Elementary (2012–19).
• Animation & Games: Moriarty has appeared in anime, video games, and countless pastiches, cementing his role as the archetypal criminal mastermind.

Legacy

Despite limited canonical appearances, Moriarty’s cultural impact rivals Holmes himself. He embodies the archetype of the criminal mastermind — brilliant, calculating, and utterly ruthless — providing the perfect foil to Holmes’s logic and morality. His role as Holmes’s greatest rival has ensured his place as one of literature’s most famous villains.

See also: Sherlock Holmes | Dr. John Watson | Reichenbach Falls | Adaptations