The Molly Maguires and the Detectives

Allan J. Pinkerton (1819 - 1884) was a Scottish American detective and spy, best known for creating the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Pinkerton produced numerous popular detective books, ostensibly based on his own exploits and those of his agents. Some were published after his death and they are considered to have been more motivated by a desire to promote his detective agency than a literary endeavor. Most historians believe that Allan Pinkerton hired ghostwriters, but the books nonetheless bear his name and no doubt reflect his views.