The Rise of Benedict Arnold

American Revolution
Written By Tom Hand

Benedict Arnold was born January 14, 1741 in Norwich, Connecticut, into a wealthy family, but his father lost his fortune when Benedict was a child. At twenty, Arnold moved to New Haven, where he opened a pharmacy, married and had three children. Arnold soon expanded into the trading business, sailing his own ship to the West Indies. When Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765, Arnold joined the Sons of Liberty and began a dangerous but lucrative smuggling operation. By the early 1770s, Arnold’s high-risk-high-reward business exploits made him the wealthiest man in New Haven and in 1774, Arnold formed a militia company and was elected captain by the men.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses the early life of Benedict Arnold, one of the most complex men in American history, and why he still matters today.

Images courtesy of Brown University Library, Connecticut Historical Society Museum and Library, National Library of Medicine, The New York Public, Library Digital Commonwealth, Library of Congress, Wikipedia. 

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In June 1780, Benedict and Peggy Arnold asked two old acquaintances who were congressmen from New York, Robert Livingston and Phillip Schuyler, to request that General George Washington give Arnold the command of Fortress West Point. Unaware of Arnold’s true motives and wanting to help their friend, both congressmen complied. Arnold was now certain West Point would soon be his to give away.

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Tom Hand
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