Allan Pinkerton

Allan Pinkerton (July 21, 1819–July 1, 1884) was a U.S. detective and spy, best known for creating the Pinkerton Agency, the first detective agency.

Related Topics:
July 21 - 1819 - July 1 - 1884 - U.S. - Detective - Spy - Pinkerton Agency

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Pinkerton was born in Glasgow, Scotland to William Pinkerton and his wife Isabell. Allan emmigrated to the United States in 1842, at the age of 23. In Chicago, Illinois in 1850, he formed the Pinkerton Agency, which solved a series of train robberies. He was head of the Union Intelligence Service in 1861–1862 and foiled an assassination plot in Baltimore, Maryland, while guarding Abraham Lincoln on his way to his inauguration for his first term as president. Pinkerton was succeeded as Intelligence Service chief by Lafayette Baker.

Related Topics:
Glasgow - Scotland - United States - 1842 - Chicago, Illinois - 1850 - 1861 - 1862 - Baltimore, Maryland - Abraham Lincoln - Lafayette Baker

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Pinkerton died in Chicago, Illinois, on July 1, 1884. He was so famous that for decades after his death, the word "Pinkerton" was a slang term for a private eye.

Related Topics:
Chicago, Illinois - July 1 - 1884 - Slang - Private eye

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Pinkerton is a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.

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See American Civil War spies

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