Despite his treason, arnold was a heroand palmer reminds us of just how vital benedict arnolds contributions were to the fledgling republic. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Benedict arnold 17411801 was an early american hero of the revolutionary war 177583 who later became one of the most infamous traitors in u. He was born and raised in the town of ilchester, somerset, england, likely attending school in limington nearby.
Mary dodson wade the story of the revolutionary war hero whose name eventually became synonymous with treachery and treason. This book puts his turn from glorious heroism into the context of its. Buy a cheap copy of the real benedict arnold book by jim murphy. In this way, washington brings to mind eisenhower in world war ii. Benedict arnold, 17411801, american revolutionary general and traitor, b. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Benedicts father was a successful businessman, but began to. His recent book bomb was a newbery honor book, national book award finalist, and winner of the sibert award as well as theyalsa award. Throughout the book i wished i could reach out and discuss the issues he was facing with him, and of course hear war stories. In the first major biography of benedict arnold in 35 years, prize. George washington, benedict arnold, and the fate of the american revolution, historian nathaniel philbrick subtly. His name is a synonym for betrayal, for total faithlessness. What drove benedict arnold to give up the patriot cause and turn treasonous. Arnold lost most of his siblings to yellow fever, calamitous events.
The relationship between benedict arnold and george washington duration. Born january 14, 1741 norwich, connecticut died june 14, 1801 london, england. I found the information about his memorial strangely hypnotic. Malcolm skillfully unravels the man behind the myth and gives us a portrait of the true arnold and his world. Though the outlines of benedict arnolds life have been known for years, he emerges in all his valor, military genius, bitterness, and deceitfulness in this superb biography by univ. His own worst enemy until he switched sides, benedict arnold was an american hero, though a prickly and prideful one. At the outbreak of the war, arnold participated in the capture of the british garrison of fort ticonderoga in 1775. George washington, benedict arnold, and the fate of the american revolution the american revolution series book cover may vary. Journal of the american revolution is the leading source of knowledge about the american revolution and founding era. Benedict arnold was born in 1741 to a prominent connecticut family. Why benedict arnold turned traitor against the american revolution. Our work has been featured by the new york times, time magazine, history channel, discovery channel, smithsonian, mental floss, npr, and more. As a youth he served for a time in the colonial militia in the french and indian wars.
George mason university law professor joyce lee malcolm discusses her book, the tragedy of benedict arnold. Once young washington and arnold entered the world of men, they became obsessed with honor and found success on the. The escape of american revolutionary general and traitor benedict arnold onto the british ship vulture. Benedict arnold, born january 14, 1741, norwich, connecticut u. The tragedy of benedict arnold casts a wide net, treating arnolds personal and public life and the lively cast of characters that peopled his world. Benedict arnold archives journal of the american revolution. One of historys bestknown traitors, benedict arnold was a successful general from connecticut during the american revolutionary war until he switched sides and was caught trying to help the british in 1780. Benedict arnold and the crisis of american liberty, brumwell has added one more account to the multitude of works written over the past two centuries on this incident. George washington, benedict arnold, and the fate of the american revolution the american revolution series book 2 nathaniel philbrick 4. His new books subtitle is just as boldly noncommittal. Benedict arnolds name might be the first that comes to mind when we think of treason not just because he was a traitor, but because he was such an unlikely one. Treason in the us and what we get wrong on benedict arnold.
Theres no question that arnold, an american army officer. In this episode of history brief, the treason of benedict arnold is discussed. Find out how this onetime american hero became the countrys most notorious traitor. Arnolds name has become synonymous with treasonous behavior and is perhaps one of the most infamous figures in american history. Benedict arnold american revolution digital learning. He had five brothers and sisters, however, all but one sister died from yellow fever at a young age. Benedict arnold seated, commander of west point, pointing to the boot of british maj. George washington had given him his fullest trust and placed him in command of the fortifications at west point, new york. Brigadier general benedict arnold, notorious throughout the world. What drove benedict arnold to give up the patriot cause and turn. Born to a welltodo, prominent family in connecticut in 1741, arnold served in the militia during the french and indian war. Steve sheinkin is the awardwinning author of several fascinating books on american history, including the notorious benedict arnold, which won the yalsa award for excellence in nonfiction for young adults and the boston globehorn book award for nonfiction. List of books and articles about benedict arnold online. The goal is to recover, as far as possible, both the man and his time, and to improve our understanding of both.
So when the french and indian war began in 1754, benedict was eager to join the militia and fight for the british colonies in america. Sheinkins account of arnolds life has received high acclaim, having won the 2012 young adult library services association award for excellence in nonfiction and. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading benedict arnold. The real benedict arnold is the story about one of the most notorious traitors of the american revolution. George washington, benedict arnold, and the fate of the american revolution. Yet arnold was one of the most heroic and remarkable men of his time, indeed in all. Arnolds treachery was only one of the many trials, tribulations, and disappointments washington overcame during the. January 3, 1740 june 14, 1801 was an american military officer who served as a general during the american revolutionary war, fighting for the american continental army before defecting to the british in 1780.
Time life picturesmansellthe life picture collectiongetty images 5. He began the war in the continental army but later changed to the british army. She draws on colonial history and the outlook of the 18thcentury atlantic world to describe a profound civilian distrust of. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus.
After the plot was exposed in september 1780, he was. While on the american side he became commander of the fort at west point, new york, and plotted to surrender it to the british forces. As a young child, benedict arnold never shied away from a fight. What are some of the best reads on benedict arnold. His recent book bomb was a newbery honor book, national book award finalist, and winner of the sibert award as well as. Benedict arnold 21 december 1615 19 june 1678 was president and then governor of the colony of rhode island and providence plantations, serving for a total of 11 years in these roles. Thereafter his name became an epithet for traitor in the united states. The ragtag fleet that lost the battle of lake champlain but won the american revolution, published by international marineragged. The race to buildand stealthe worlds most dangerous weapon steve sheinkin. At one time he was general and future first president george washingtons trusted advisor in the struggle against the british. Every account of the american revolution mentions benedict arnold and brands him. A million tons of radioactivewater will smash over the eastern seaboard. His older brother, also named benedict had died from a fever when he was still a baby. George washington, benedict arnold, and the fate of the american revolution, explores four years of the revolutionary war, from 1776 through 1780, with a focus on george washington, benedict arnold, and the many lesser personalities that surrounded them, offering a new perspective on the people and events that.
Benedict arnold simple english wikipedia, the free. Where arnold met his internal foes with fire, washington was able to use ice. Benedict arnold 17411801 was an early american hero of the revolutionary war 177583 who later became one of the most infamous. Upon further inspection, medical examiners found a copy of benedict arnolds bible in his chest cavity. Illustration showing major general benedict arnold 1741 1801 rallying the american troops and performing heroically during the battle of saratoga, during. We feature smart, groundbreaking research and wellwritten narratives from expert writers. Benedict arnold is best known for his vicious turn against the american revolution. Why benedict arnold turned traitor against the american revolution the story behind the most famous betrayal in u. Stories of his treason have so come to define him that his name, like that of judas, is virtually synonymous with treason.
Once young washington and arnold entered the world of men, they became. American general benedict arnold betrays his country. A nonfiction book study will bring the american revolution to life for your students. What was one of the most memorable moments of the notorious benedict arnold. It was a world war that lasted more than eight years, spanned two oceans and three continents, involved four european powers, and saw the largest deployment of. Then came another bombshell the last known person the dead man had been in contact with was jack nash. How benedict arnold went from wartime hero to resentful.
Benedict arnold, patriot officer who served the cause of the american revolution until 1779, when he shifted his allegiance to the british. Nelson talked about his book benedict arnolds navy. The notorious benedict arnold steve sheinkin macmillan. Benedict arnold grew up in norwich city in the american colony of connecticut. Benedict arnold was an american revolutionary war general best known for his defection from the continental army to the british side of the conflict in 1780. On september 21, 1780, revolutionary war hero benedict arnold turned. A bit too much detail in the military history, since the subject of the book is benedict arnold. Benedict arnold occupies a place in american history as the most famous traitor of revolutionary times.