Professor Moriarty
Professor Moriarty is the criminal mastermind and archenemy of Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle's detective stories.
Described as the "Napoleon of crime," he operates as a mathematics professor while secretly controlling London's criminal underworld.
The character has become a literary archetype for the brilliant villain who matches wits with a hero, and his name is sometimes invoked to describe any shadowy figure orchestrating schemes from behind the scenes: He fancied himself a Professor Moriarty, pulling strings no one could see.
One who opposes another
- archenemyPrincipal antagonist
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- foeHostile opponent
mastermind · evil genius · malefactor · schemer · conspirator · puppet master · kingpin · crime lord
Iconic Victorian-era investigator
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- archrivalPrincipal ongoing opponent
- Baker StreetLondon road, detective's address
- WatsonCommon English surname
nemesis · confrontation · cat and mouse · pursuit · Conan Doyle · consulting detective · Victorian London · deduction
Person of rare brilliance
- mathematicianProfessional in abstract quantities
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- strategistExpert in planning campaigns
polymath · prodigy · cunning · acumen · erudition · scholar · academic · theoretician
Imaginary person in stories
- mystery fictionGenre centered on solving crimes
- crime fictionGenre about solving crimes
- shadowy figureUnclear form in darkness
- behind the scenesOut of public view
Realm of the departed
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- heistOrganized large-scale theft
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- blackmailCoercion through damaging threats
extortion · smuggling · forgery · murder · assassination · network · syndicate · racketeering
antagonist
One who opposes another
foe · mastermind · evil genius · malefactor · schemer · conspirator · puppet master · kingpin · crime lord · spider
Sherlock
Iconic Victorian-era investigator
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- archrivalPrincipal ongoing opponent
- Baker StreetLondon road, detective's address
Watson · nemesis · confrontation · cat and mouse · pursuit · Conan Doyle · consulting detective · Victorian London · deduction · sworn enemy
genius
Person of rare brilliance
- mathematicianProfessional in abstract quantities
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
strategist · polymath · prodigy · cunning · acumen · erudition · scholar · academic · theoretician · calculating
fictional character
Imaginary person in stories
- mystery fictionGenre centered on solving crimes
- crime fictionGenre about solving crimes
- shadowy figureUnclear form in darkness
underworld
Realm of the departed
- organizationStructured group with purpose
- heistOrganized large-scale theft
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
blackmail · extortion · smuggling · forgery · murder · assassination · network · syndicate · racketeering · robbery
- Holmes VillainsMoriarty
Professor MoriartySherlock Holmes
Dr. Watson · Hercule Poirot · Miss Marple · Father Brown · Batman
Professor MoriartyScotland Yard
London police headquarters
Interpol · detective · lawman · crime-fighter · investigator
Professor Moriartyhero
One admired for courage
protagonist · savior · defender · champion · knight in shining armor
professor, professors, profess, professes, professed, professing, profession, professions, professional