Alan Pinkerton is perhaps the most over-achieving barrel-maker who ever lived. After practicing his trade in rural Illinois for a few years in the 1850s, the Scottish immigrant busted up a counterfeiting ring, which got the attention of Chicago’s police department, offering him a job as a detective. From here he worked as an intelligence agent in the Civil War (preventing an assassination attempt on Lincoln’s life), then pursued high-profile outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and protected scabs in the Homestead lockout, for which his private detective agency became notorious.

Pinkerton has been an enduring source of fascination since the nineteenth century. But the details of his impact, business empire, and private life have been incomplete. Today’s guest is Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones, author of “Allan Pinkerton: America's Legendary Detective and the Birth of Private Security.” We discuss the accomplishments, contradictions, controversies, and legacies of the founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.

Alan Pinkerton is perhaps the most over-achieving barrel-maker who ever lived. After practicing his trade in rural Illinois for a few years in the 1850s, the Scottish immigrant busted up a counterfeiting ring, which got the attention of Chicago&rsquo;s police department, offering him a job as a detective. From here he worked as an intelligence agent in the Civil War (preventing an assassination attempt on Lincoln&rsquo;s life), then pursued high-profile outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and protected scabs in the Homestead lockout, for which his private detective agency became notorious.
Pinkerton has been an enduring source of fascination since the nineteenth century. But the details of his impact, business empire, and private life have been incomplete. Today&rsquo;s guest is Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones, author of &ldquo;Allan Pinkerton: America's Legendary Detective and the Birth of Private Security.&rdquo; We discuss the accomplishments, contradictions, controversies, and legacies of the founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.

For history lovers who listen to podcasts, History Unplugged is the most comprehensive show of its kind. It's the only show that dedicates episodes to both interviewing experts and answering questions from its audience. First, it features a call-in show where you can ask our resident historian (Scott Rank, PhD) absolutely anything (What was it like to be a Turkish sultan with four wives and twelve concubines? If you were sent back in time, how would you kill Hitler?). Second, it features long-form interviews with best-selling authors who have written about everything. Topics include gruff World War II generals who flew with airmen on bombing raids, a war horse who gained the rank of sergeant, and presidents who gave their best speeches while drunk.

A show about American history, world history, World Wars 1 & 2, the Civil War, and much more.

History Unplugged Podcast

For history lovers who listen to podcasts, History Unplugged is the most comprehensive show of its kind. It's the only show that dedicates episodes to both interviewing experts and answering questions from its audience. First, it features a call-in show where you can ask our resident historian (Scott Rank, PhD) absolutely anything (What was it like to be a Turkish sultan with four wives and twelve concubines? If you were sent back in time, how would you kill Hitler?). Second, it features long-form interviews with best-selling authors who have written about everything. Topics include gruff World War II generals who flew with airmen on bombing raids, a war horse who gained the rank of sergeant, and presidents who gave their best speeches while drunk.

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