Kate Warne was the world's first female detective. She worked for the Pinkerton Agency, which considered her its greatest asset.

In 1861, Warne uncovered a plot to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln while investigating sabotage on the Baltimore railroad.

Using his infiltration skills, Warne inserted himself into suspicious circles and obtained crucial information about the later so-called ‘Baltimore Plot’.

Warne devised a plan to protect Lincoln during his trip to Washington D.C., where he would be inaugurated as president. (Pictured with Pinkerton)

He suggested that Lincoln travel incognito, in disguise and on a different train than planned, to avoid detection by the conspirators.

During the trip, Warne pretended to be Lincoln's sister, disguised as an old invalid. In this way they managed to outwit the assassins.

Lincoln arrived in Washington D.C. safe and sound. The assassination attempt was averted and he was able to be inaugurated as President of the United States.

The Pinkerton agency's slogan from then on was ‘We Never Sleep’ because Kate stayed awake for the duration of the trip.

Lincoln was assassinated on April 15, 1865 in Washington. Unfortunately, on that occasion he did not have Kate Warne to protect him.

When Kate Warne died of pneumonia in 1868, she was considered “the greatest detective in the U.S. and possibly the world.”