27 Facts About Kate Warne

Kate Warne had a role in uncovering the 1861 Baltimore Plot against President-elect Abraham Lincoln, recruiting female agents for the Pinkerton Agency, and conducting intelligence work for the Union during the American Civil War.

In 1856, at the age of 23, Warne walked into the Pinkerton Detective Agency in response to an advertisement in a local newspaper, and requested a job as a detective.

However, Kate Warne convinced him that her undercover skills would be helpful.

Kate Warne's arguments swayed Pinkerton, who employed her as his first female detective.

In 1858, Kate Warne was involved in the case of Adams Express Company embezzlements, where she was successfully able to bring herself into the confidence of the wife of the prime suspect, Mr Maroney.

Kate Warne thereby acquired valuable evidence, leading to the husband's conviction.

Kate Warne was one of five agents sent to Baltimore, Maryland, on February 3,1861, to investigate the hotbed of secessionist activity.

Kate Warne had befriended secessionists in Maryland and collected many details about the plot to assassinate Lincoln.

Kate Warne's published program showed that Lincoln's last leg of the journey was from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Washington, DC Due to the configuration of the rail system, all southbound trains required a transfer to be made in Baltimore.

Kate Warne's agenda included: giving three speeches, raising of the American flag at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and attending a high-profile dinner.

Kate Warne carried a shawl upon one arm to play the role of an invalid.

At the station, Kate Warne entered the sleeping car through the rear along with Pinkerton, Ward Hill Lamon, and a still-disguised Lincoln.

Kate Warne greeted Lincoln loudly as she would have a true brother.

Kate Warne couriered secret information and set up meetings as well as securing the necessary four berths on a train leaving Philadelphia under the pretext that these berths were for her sick brother and family members.

Kate Warne said that women are most useful in worming out secrets in many places which would be impossible for a male detective.

Kate Warne had an assortment of alias names: Kay Warne, Kay Waren, Kay Warren, Kate Waren, Kate Warren, Kitty Warne, Kitty Waren, Kitty Warren, Kittie Waren, Kittie Warne, and Kittie Warren.

Kate Warne was known as "Kitty" to Robert Pinkerton, Allan's brother.

Kate Warne was sent undercover as a Mrs Potter and became close friends with Mr Drysdale's wife.

Kate Warne took the name Lucille and assumed the role of a fortune teller to lure information out of the suspected murderer's confidants.

Kate Warne's employment by Pinkerton was a significant moment in Women's History.

Kate Warne reported back to Pinkerton about all her work when he was away from the office and they worked together, on numerous cases, during their tenure.

Pinkerton constantly showed a deep trust in the work that Kate Warne performed and acknowledges so in his memoirs.

Kate Warne was in charge of the Female Detective Bureau established by Pinkerton, her title being Supervisor of Women Agents.

Kate Warne was buried, on January 28,1868, in the Pinkerton family plot at Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.

Kate Warne is portrayed by Natalie Robbie in the 2022 History Channel mini-series, Abraham Lincoln.

Greer Macallister's detective story and historical novel, Girl in Disguise, released in 2017, features Kate Warne and tells her story.

In 2025, Kate Warne was portrayed by Laura Martinez in the Xumo Play Original film Pinkerton.