Arnold is remembered as America’s most infamous traitor. One of the Revolutionary War’s greatest military heroes and field commanders, Arnold defected to the British side and offered to surrender West Point for money in 1780. The plot was discovered, and Arnold escaped, fought with the British Army and eventually went to England to live.

The reasons for Arnold’s defection and betrayal of trust are complex and manifold.

The man who today is remembered in history only as a traitor was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut. He and his sister Hannah were the only two of their parents’ six ..