The Napoleon of Crime

Introduction

Professor James Moriarty is the arch-nemesis of Sherlock Holmes and one of literature’s most iconic villains. Described by Holmes as the “Napoleon of Crime,” Moriarty is a mathematical genius who channels his intellect into orchestrating vast criminal enterprises. Though he appears directly in only one story, The Final Problem (1893), his influence permeates the canon, representing the shadow opposite to Holmes’s brilliance.

Characterisation

Moriarty is depicted as tall, pale, and ascetic, with a domed forehead and deep-set eyes. A former professor of mathematics, he is said to have written a treatise on the binomial theorem before turning to crime. Conan Doyle presents him as a spider at the centre of a vast web, controlling a network of criminals while remaining invisible to the public eye.

Unlike Holmes, who thrives on solving mysteries for justice, Moriarty pursues power and wealth. His intellectual gifts, combined with his ruthless ambition, make him Holmes’s equal in mind but his opposite in morality.

Role in the Canon

• The Final Problem (1893): Moriarty confronts Holmes, leading to their dramatic struggle at the Reichenbach Falls. Holmes apparently sacrifices himself to rid the world of his adversary.
• Other Mentions: Holmes references Moriarty’s criminal network in stories like The Valley of Fear (1915), reinforcing the idea that Moriarty’s influence endures beyond a single encounter.

Holmes and Moriarty

The rivalry between Holmes and Moriarty is often framed as a battle between good and evil, intellect and corruption. Holmes describes him as “the organiser of half that is evil and of nearly all that is undetected in this great city.” Their confrontation at Reichenbach symbolises the ultimate clash of equals, elevating detective fiction to mythic proportions.

Adaptations and Legacy

• Stage and Classic Films: Moriarty has appeared in countless plays and early film adaptations as Holmes’s definitive adversary.
• Basil Rathbone Era: George Zucco and Lionel Atwill portrayed him in the 1940s films.
• Granada Television: Eric Porter played a calculating Moriarty opposite Jeremy Brett’s Holmes.
• BBC’s Sherlock (2010–2017): Andrew Scott portrayed a modern, flamboyant Moriarty, redefining the character for a new generation.
• Guy Ritchie’s Films: Jared Harris played a steely, intellectual Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011).

Conclusion

Professor Moriarty remains the embodiment of criminal genius: elusive, brilliant, and terrifying in scope. Though Conan Doyle gave him only a brief appearance, adaptations and pastiches have ensured his survival as one of fiction’s greatest villains. To Sherlock Holmes, he was more than an adversary — he was the necessary shadow that defined his light.