Allan Pinkerton

Allan Pinkerton Biography

Allan Pinkerton (August 25, 1819 – July 1, 1884) was a Scottish-American detective and spy, best known for founding the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Pinkerton was the son of William Pinkerton, a police sergeant, and Isobel McQueen. After his father's death, he left school at the age of 10 and became largely self-educated. He apprenticed as a cooper and became involved in the Chartist movement, advocating for political and social reform.

In 1842, facing political persecution, Pinkerton emigrated to the United States, settling in Dundee, Illinois. He continued his trade as a cooper and became active in the abolitionist movement, using his home as a stop on the Underground Railroad. His investigative career began when he discovered a gang of counterfeiters, leading to his appointment as a deputy sheriff in Kane County, Illinois.

In 1850, Pinkerton founded the North-Western Police Agency, later known as the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, in Chicago. The agency gained prominence for solving a series of train robberies and was known for its logo featuring an open eye and the motto "We Never Sleep." During the Civil War, Pinkerton served as head of the Union Intelligence Service, using the alias Major E.J. Allen. He is credited with uncovering a plot to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861, known as the Baltimore Plot.

After the war, the Pinkerton Agency became known for its involvement in labor disputes, often hired by industrialists to infiltrate unions and suppress strikes. Pinkerton authored several books about his experiences, including The Expressman and the Detective (1874) and The Spy of the Rebellion (1883). He died in Chicago in 1884, leaving a complex legacy in American law enforcement and labor relations.

Trivia About Allan Pinkerton

• Pinkerton's agency hired Kate Warne in 1856, considered the first female detective in the United States.
• The term "private eye" is believed to have originated from the Pinkerton Agency's logo of an open eye.
• Pinkerton's agency was involved in the pursuit of famous outlaws such as Jesse James and the Reno Gang.
• He used the alias "Major E.J. Allen" during his intelligence work in the Civil War.

Famous Quotes by Allan Pinkerton

• "The detection of crime is a high and honorable calling."
• "We never sleep."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Allan Pinkerton?

Allan Pinkerton was a Scottish-American detective and spy who founded the Pinkerton National Detective Agency and played a significant role in law enforcement and intelligence during the 19th century.

What was the Pinkerton National Detective Agency?

Founded in 1850, it was one of the first private detective agencies in the United States, known for its involvement in crime detection, security services, and labor disputes.

What was the Baltimore Plot?

The Baltimore Plot was a conspiracy to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861, which Pinkerton claimed to have uncovered, leading to Lincoln's safe passage to Washington, D.C.

Related Literary Movements

Allan Pinkerton's writings contribute to the genre of true crime and detective literature, providing firsthand accounts of 19th-century criminal investigations and the development of private law enforcement in America.

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