After studying business in Chicago in the 1920s, this man obsessed with Sherlock Holmes was an investigator for a credit company

The Final Jeopardy clue for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, challenged contestants to connect a famous 20th-century figure to his early career. In the category 20th-Century Figures, the clue was: “After studying business in Chicago in the 1920s, this man obsessed with Sherlock Holmes was an investigator for a credit company.” Contestants needed to think about both education and early professional experience to arrive at the correct response.

Who is Eliot Ness?

The correct answer was Who is Eliot Ness? Ness is best known as the law enforcement official who fought organized crime during Prohibition, particularly targeting the notorious gangster Al Capone. His early fascination with detective work, especially inspired by fictional figures like Sherlock Holmes, shaped the disciplined investigative methods he later used in his career.

Eliot Ness’s Early Years and Career Path

Eliot Ness was born in 1903 in Chicago, Illinois. He pursued higher education at the University of Chicago, studying business and political science, and graduated in 1925. After college, Ness initially worked as an investigator for the Retail Credit Company, a job that required detailed information gathering and thorough background checks on individuals’ financial histories.

This early experience honed Ness’s skills in surveillance, documentation, and investigation—skills that became crucial when he transitioned to federal law enforcement. His attention to detail, a trait he admired in the Sherlock Holmes stories, would later become a hallmark of his approach in battling crime during the tumultuous Prohibition era.

Rise to National Prominence

In 1927, Ness joined the U.S. Treasury Department, working under the Prohibition Bureau. By the late 1920s, he was assigned to create and lead a special team aimed at bringing down Chicago’s powerful criminal networks. His team, famously nicknamed “The Untouchables,” earned a reputation for being incorruptible at a time when many law enforcement agencies were plagued by bribery and corruption.

Ness’s efforts contributed significantly to the legal pressures placed on Al Capone, though Capone was ultimately convicted on tax evasion charges rather than more direct criminal activities. Ness became a symbol of integrity and effectiveness in law enforcement, and his fame only grew after his exploits were popularized in books, television, and film.

The Influence of Sherlock Holmes

Ness’s admiration for Sherlock Holmes was more than casual. He often cited the fictional detective’s methodical reasoning, evidence-based investigation, and resistance to emotional interference as professional ideals. This influence could be seen in how Ness approached his work, relying on careful planning, logical deduction, and painstaking evidence gathering rather than brute force.

In interviews and later accounts, Ness often emphasized the importance of clear thinking and methodical procedure, qualities he associated with Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary character. His dedication to such principles helped distinguish him from many contemporaries who relied more on intimidation or informal methods.

Legacy of Eliot Ness

Although Eliot Ness struggled in later years with financial difficulties and political setbacks, his legacy as a determined crime-fighter has endured. His 1957 autobiography, The Untouchables, co-written with Oscar Fraley, helped cement his image in American culture as a tireless opponent of organized crime. The book led to television and movie adaptations that further mythologized his career.

Today, Ness is remembered not only for his role during Prohibition but also for setting standards in investigative professionalism and integrity. His early start investigating financial backgrounds with a credit company in Chicago may not seem glamorous, but it laid the foundation for one of the most storied careers in American law enforcement history.