Benedict Arnold

NAME: Benedict Arnold

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Benedict Arnold is most famous for his role as a traitor during the American Revolutionary War, when he conspired to surrender the American fort at West Point to the British.

BIRTH: Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut, British America.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Benedict Arnold was the second of six children born to Benedict Arnold III and Hannah Waterman King. His father was a successful businessman and his family was prominent in the community.

He was named after his great-grandfather Benedict Arnold, an early governor of the Colony of Rhode Island, and his brother Benedict IV, who died in infancy.

CHILDHOOD: Arnold's childhood was marked by financial instability following his father's death when he was young. He worked various odd jobs to help support his family.

EDUCATION: Arnold received a basic education in Norwich, but his formal schooling was limited. He learned much of his trade and military skills through practical experience.

CAREER RECORD: Benedict Arnold initially pursued a successful career as a merchant and later became involved in the militia during the American Revolutionary War. He distinguished himself in several battles before his betrayal.

Forced to leave school after his father's death in 1761, Benedict Arnold found himself apprenticed to an apothecary in New Haven, Connecticut. His days were spent mixing medicines and selling books. Back in the colonies, he ended up running a pretty successful pharmacy and shipping business.

Arnold was a skilled and respected military leader, known for his bravery and tactical acumen. An early hero of the American Revolution, capturing Fort Ticonderoga and playing a key role at Saratoga.

His later career was marred by suspicion of misconduct and battlefield injuries that hampered his effectiveness.

Arnold defected to the British side in 1780, attempting to surrender West Point.

APPEARANCE: Benedict Arnold was described as having a commanding presence, with sharp features and a stern countenance. He was athletic and energetic, with piercing blue eyes. Injuries sustained during the war likely took a toll on his physical appearance.

FASHION: He dressed in the typical style of a military officer of the time –  powdered wigs, tricorn hats, and military uniforms.

As a military officer, Arnold would have worn the standard uniform of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.

CHARACTER: Benedict Arnold was known for his bravery and military skill, but he was also ambitious, hot-headed, and prone to resentment, which ultimately contributed to his decision to betray the American cause.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Arnold was not known for his sense of humor, particularly in the later stages of his life when he became embittered by perceived slights and grievances.

RELATIONSHIPS: Benedict Arnold's relationships were complicated. He had several failed business ventures and his personal relationships were often strained.

Arnold's first wife, Margaret Mansfield, was the daughter of the sheriff in New Haven. They tied the knot in February of 1767, but sadly, she died young in 1775. Fast forward a few years, and Arnold, now a big cheese in Philadelphia (commander, that is), meets Peggy Shippen. Half his age and the daughter of a wealthy judge with a direct line to the British (awkward!), Peggy was the socialite of Philadelphia. Despite the raised eyebrows, love (or maybe ambition?) blossomed, and they were married on April 8, 1779 at the Shippen mansion on Fourth Street.

MONEY AND FAME: Arnold's betrayal brought him temporary financial gain and a measure of infamy, but ultimately he was reviled by both sides of the conflict.

FOOD AND DRINK: Arnold likely consumed typical colonial American fare, including meat, bread, and vegetables. Alcohol, particularly rum, was a common beverage of the time.

MUSIC AND ARTS: There is little record of Arnold's interest in music and the arts.

LITERATURE: Similarly, Arnold does not appear to have had a notable interest in literature.

NATURE: Arnold's military career often took him into the wilderness, where he demonstrated skill in navigating and surviving in rugged terrain.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Arnold was an avid horseman and enjoyed hunting and outdoor pursuits.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Arnold would have possessed practical knowledge of mathematics and engineering relevant to his military career.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Arnold's religious beliefs are unknown, but likely influenced by the prevailing Protestantism of the time.

MILITARY RECORD: Teenage Benedict wasn't exactly thrilled about a life measuring out potions behind a counter. He yearned for the battlefield, not bottles of dubious cures. So, off he went to fight in the French and Indian War, a whole lot more exciting than, say, explaining the finer points of elixirs to bored housewives.

Then came the American Revolution. Arnold, ever the ambitious fellow, saw his chance to shine. He joined up with the militia, eventually teaming up with Ethan Allen to pull off a surprise attack on Fort Ticonderoga on August 22, 1777, a win that gave the ragtag American forces a much-needed boost. Arnold went on to lead a daring (though ultimately unsuccessful) attack on Quebec City, solidifying his reputation as a brave and imaginative leader.

The fledgling American government, understandably a tad jittery about the whole overthrowing-an-empire business, cooked up the Oath of Allegiance to sniff out traitors faster than you could say "Benedict Arnold." Yes, Benedict Arnold pledged his allegiance to the American cause right alongside his fellow revolutionaries on May 30, 1778.

Here's where things get a bit murky. Arnold, it seems, had a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He felt like he wasn't getting the recognition he deserved, which, to be fair, might have been a little true. He even got into a shouting match with a superior officer! Despite the drama, Arnold still managed to be a key player in the Battles of Saratoga, even disobeying orders to lead a crucial charge.

Thanks to his second wife's fancy family connections, Arnold was living a rather extravagant lifestyle in Philadelphia. The problem? He wasn't exactly rolling in dough, and his flashy lifestyle was starting to raise eyebrows. To make matters worse, he got tangled up in a couple of court-martials over accusations of misuse of funds. Not exactly the PR boost he was hoping for.

Feeling humiliated and bitter, Arnold made a monumental decision. He decided to switch sides. In a move that would forever tarnish his legacy, he opened up secret communication with the British, plotting to hand over the crucial Fort West Point. Luckily for the American cause, the whole scheme got foiled when a British officer carrying incriminating documents was captured. Arnold, exposed, fled to the British side.

As a British officer, Arnold never quite managed to recapture his former glory. He did win a couple of battles, but the shadow of his betrayal hung over him

SCANDAL: Benedict Arnold's betrayal of the American cause is one of the most notorious scandals in American history.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: The pivotal Battles of Saratoga in 1777 weren't just a turning point in the war; they were also a turning point in Arnold's health. He took a nasty leg wound that sidelined him for months.  Now, proper medical care was a bit of a gamble back then, and instead of a spiffy new prosthetic leg, they just, well, patched him up as best they could. The result? A leg two inches shorter than the other, which must have made waltzing a real challenge.

But leg woes weren't his only battle. By 1775, gout, that delightful condition that feels like tiny gnomes are stomping around in your joints, had become a regular visitor. Fast forward to 1801, and poor Arnold was hobbling around with a cane, thanks to a diagnosis of dropsy. Not exactly the picture of a vigorous traitorous mastermind.

HOMES: Arnold owned several homes throughout his life, including a mansion in New Haven, Connecticut. 

TRAVEL: Arnold traveled extensively during his military career, participating in campaigns throughout the American colonies.

DEATH: Benedict Arnold died on June 14, 1801, in London, England a broken man, largely ostracized and disgraced by both his former countrymen and his new British allies.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Benedict Arnold has been depicted in numerous books, films, and television shows, often portrayed as a complex and tragic figure whose betrayal altered the course of American history.

ACHIEVEMENTS: Despite his betrayal, Benedict Arnold's early military successes and contributions to the American cause cannot be overlooked. He played a significant role in several key battles during the Revolutionary War before his fall from grace.