Benedict Arnold
A brilliant American war hero whose name became synonymous with treason after he schemed to betray West Point to the British.
1741–1801 (age 60)·British military officer·Birthday: January 14
Biography
Benedict Arnold’s life is a paradox of early American history, a narrative of spectacular rise and infamous fall. A daring and effective commander for the Continental Army, his audacious leadership at the Battle of Saratoga was pivotal in securing a crucial American victory and convincing France to join the war. Yet, he felt chronically undervalued by Congress, embittered by slights and financial troubles. This resentment curdled into treachery. In 1780, while commanding the vital fortress at West Point, Arnold entered into a secret pact to surrender it to the British for money and a commission. The plot was foiled, but Arnold escaped, leaving behind a legacy that forever eclipsed his genuine military accomplishments. To Americans, he is the archetypal turncoat; in Britain, he was a minor figure never fully trusted. His name endures not for his courage, but for the moment he chose to trade it.
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Benedict's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1741Born
1746Started school
1754Became a teenager
1757Could drive
1759Could vote
1762Turned 21
1771Turned 30
1781Turned 40
1791Turned 50
1801Turned 60
Key Achievements
- Led a grueling, heroic march with Ethan Allen's Green Mountain Boys to capture Fort Ticonderoga in 1775.
- Played a decisive role at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, where he was severely wounded in the leg.
- Achieved the rank of Major General in the Continental Army, commanding the military district of Philadelphia.
- Was appointed a Brigadier General in the British Army after his defection, leading raids in Virginia and Connecticut.
Did You Know?
The monument to his leg at Saratoga National Historical Park honors his war service but pointedly omits his name.
He served as a pharmacist in New Haven, Connecticut, before the war.
His secret correspondence with British Major John André was signed with the pseudonym 'Gustavus.'
He died in London in 1801 and was buried in the crypt of St. Mary's Church, Battersea.
“Let me die in this old uniform in which I fought my battles. May God forgive me for ever having put on another.”
