A Look At The Real Moriarty

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Peter Jefferson Smith writes about The Real Moriarty

Painting of Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire
Detail from the painting Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire by Thomas Gainsborough

A wealthy American was the new tenant arriving in 1886 at West Lodge, an old house on Clapham Common North Side, but he was not what he seemed.

He was actually one of the most successful criminals of those times,  Adam Worth, who was said to have inspired the creation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s villainous Professor Moriarty,  Sherlock Holmes’ major antagonist.

His most famous crime was the theft of the painting of Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire by Thomas Gainsborough.

You can read  the full article here: ‘The Real Moriarty‘ by Clapham Society member, Peter Jefferson Smith.

The Clapham Society Local History Series

Articles relating to Clapham history that were first published in The South London Press are now being added to The Clapham Society’s Local History Series.

These articles are researched and written by members of the Society and provide material relating to the history of Clapham not otherwise readily accessible.

 

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