Sure, you’ve heard of Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, but have you heard of the very real female detective who uncovered would-be embezzlements, served as a war spy, and even thwarted a presidential assassination attempt? 

A history-making job interview

It’s unclear as to what inspired Kate Warne, then a 23-year-old widow, to answer an ad for a detective at Pinkerton’s Chicago agency in 1856. It was a particularly bold move considering the agency had never employed a female detective before. 

But Warne insisted that her gender gave her a unique advantage. Because society viewed her as powerless, she could move about invisibly without raising suspicion. Plus, she could easily befriend other women whose husbands were suspected criminals, gaining their trust and tactfully “worming out” the secrets their partners shared with them.

Both aspects ensured Warne could access places her male counterparts would find impenetrable. 

Pinkerton was won over........

© Upworthy