Tennessee Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

Who is credited with starting the private investigation business in the United States?

1. Charles Dickens

2. Allan Pinkerton

3. Mark Twain

4. Dashiell Hammett

The correct answer is: Allan Pinkerton

Allan Pinkerton is credited with starting the private investigation business in the United States. He founded the Pinkerton National Detective Agency in 1850, which played a significant role in the development of private investigation as a profession. Pinkerton's agency was known for its effective and innovative investigative techniques, which included the use of undercover agents and surveillance methods. This agency not only addressed crimes but also provided services to railroads and other businesses facing crime-related challenges during a time of significant social change in America. Pinkerton's contributions helped establish the framework for modern private investigation, influencing practices that are still in use today. The other figures mentioned, while notable in their respective fields, did not have the same impact on the establishment of private investigation as a profession as Pinkerton did. Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, and Dashiell Hammett were influential writers whose works included elements of mystery and crime but did not directly contribute to the founding or development of the private investigation industry.