There are many villains in literature, but those who follow, in my opinion, are the epitome of evil. They have the characteristics that present-day villains are based upon. 

Satan in Paradise Lost by John Milton. Year: 1667 - The ultimate villain in literature. Milton's continuation of this fallen angel is a depiction of depravity in its lowest form. God has informed His angels that His Son is now their leader. Satan begins an uprising, taking a third of the angels with him. Together they form an army to destroy Heaven. Satan is finally defeated and sent to hell. He is the epitome of a pure villain and the traits of his personality are still used in literature today.

Iago in Othello by William Shakespeare. Year: 1603 - Iago is a deceptive and scheming villain, who tricks Othello into believing his wife Desdemona has fallen in love with a Lieutenant in his army. Iago plays cruel mind games with Othello until he is driven to kill his own wife. Truly one of Shakespeare's most sinister characters. A very cleverly created character because Iago is not outwardly violent, but his perverse personality makes him someone you wouldn’t want to cross.

Svidrigailov in Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Year: 1866 - This is one evil man. Everything about his personality is gross. Apart from being a self-centred narcissist, he is also a child molester and rapist  He is the epitome of evil, he tries to poison his wife and even causes the death of a deaf teenage girl along with one of his loyal servants.

Professor Moriarty in The Final Problem by  Arthur Conan Doyle. Year: 1893 - Sherlock Holmes’ arch enemy and the ruler of London's seedy underworld, Moriarty was intellectually dangerous. His only goal was to bring down and destroy Holmes and there is nothing he wouldn’t do to win. He was ruthless and vindictive. Holmes called him the ‘Napolean of Crime’. He was a pure evil mastermind.  

Long John Silver in Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. Year: 1883 - Long John Silver was a ruthless and callous one-legged pirate. He was the main man to inspire fear in Captain Flint. He is the master of manipulation and he instils fear into anyone who crosses him. Silver exploits the trust of hero Jim Hawkins, only to reveal his true identity and his intention to kill the ship's officers once he has seized the treasure. Long John Silver gives pirates a terrible, but fitting reputation for immoral behaviour.

Randall Flagg in The Stand by Stephen King. Year: 1978 - This demonic character is a sorcerer and uses his supernatural powers to get inside the minds of humans and animals, so he can influence their behaviour. After a plague has killed most of the world's population, Flagg reestablishes his own form of civilisation which he rules with fear and tyranny. His vile behaviour includes crucifixion, dismembering and using other forms of torture to ensure they are obedient to him.

Simon Legree in Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beacher Stowe. Year: 1852 - Brutal slave owner Simon Legree is, without doubt, a pure monster. He is the anti-Christ of all literature. He mercilessly uses his slaves as objects, and ruthlessly beats and abuses them with no remorse. He hates Tom for the beliefs he holds and tries everything to break his spirit, but Tom refuses to succumb to his intimidation. Legree’s despicable behaviour then moves towards female slaves, Casey and Emeline. Tom is eventually sentenced to death by whipping because he refuses to change his religious beliefs.