True Crime: Pinkerton National Detective Agency (eBook)

Allan Pinkerton (1819–1884) was a Scottish-American detective and spy, best known for founding the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, one of the first detective agencies in the United States. With a profound legacy in law enforcement, Pinkerton started his career as a cooper and initially became involved in law enforcement by chance after emigrating to the United States. His accidental thwarting of a counterfeiting operation led to his appointment as the first detective in Chicago and eventually, the establishment of the Pinkerton Agency in 1850. Pinkerton's agency was revolutionary in its employment of the latest investigative techniques and the introduction of the mug shot for criminal identification. During the Civil War, he served as head of the Union Intelligence Service in 1861-62 and later as President Abraham Lincoln's security advisor, infamously foiling an assassination attempt en route to his inauguration. Pinkerton authored several books on his experiences, and his work in 'True Crime: Pinkerton National Detective Agency' encapsulates his insights into the intricate world of 19th-century detective work, filled with riveting case files and criminal pursuits. Pinkerton's literary style is characterized by a matter-of-fact, detailed depiction of events, reflecting both his investigative precision and his role in shaping modern detective practices. His writing and career have left an indelible mark on the field of criminal investigation and the genre of true crime literature.