10 Notable Traitors In History - Listverse 10 Notable Traitors In History Rex Bray June 19, 2012 Since time immemorial, people have turned their backs on their companions and countries. These betrayals come in many different flavors. First, traitors have different motives, ranging from the altruistic to the totally selfish. Second, they have different intended consequences; while some are on the personal level, others may conspire to forfeit their nation to a foreign power for centuries to come. Finally, treason ranges from forgivable to the notoriously nefarious. This article lists ten of the most notable traitors in world history, ranked by the severity of their deed. 10 Mordechai Vanunu Mordechai Vanunu worked as a nuclear technician for the State of Israel in the 1980s, which was claiming to pursue nuclear power for civilian purposes only. In 1986, citing his opposition to weapons of mass destruction, Vanunu leaked details of the Israeli nuclear weapons program to the British press, confirming the world’s fear that Israel possessed nuclear weapons. After this, the Mossad lured him to Italy, drugged him, and abducted him.

He was whisked away to Israel, where he was tried and convicted behind closed doors. He spent more than eleven years in solitary confinement and eighteen total in prison. After being released, he has been subject to a plethora of strict regulations, leading him to proclaim to the Nobel Peace Prize committee regarding his nomination: WHAT I WANT IS FREEDOM AND ONLY FREEDOM. While still a traitor, Vanunu is by far the least nefarious on this list. A whistle-blower on a government that was covertly developing weapons of mass destruction, he is internationally regarded as a hero of the nuclear proliferation age, and has received many accolades, including a Nobel Prize nomination. 9 Gaius Cassius Longinus Early in his life, Cassius showed a hatred of tyrants. This failed to change as he aged and assumed power. During the Great Roman Civil War, he sided with Optimates and Pompey, fearing that Julius Caesar would become dictator. He heard of Pompey’s defeat at Pharsalus and fled for the Hellespont, but was captured by Caesar along the way. Caesar was merciful, appointing him legate. After the war, Cassius spent two officeless years in Rome.

“Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous.” – Shakespeare’s depiction of Julius Caesar He plotted to assassinate the newly appointed dictator in perpetuity, and drew Brutus into the scheme. After Caesar was dead, Antony assumed power, and Cassius essentially committed suicide two years later. In Dante’s Inferno, he is one of three people considered disgraceful enough to occupy one of Satan’s mouths. 8 Judas Iscariot “The Son of Man said, “[W]oe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who betrayed Him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”” – Matthew 26:23-25 Judas Iscariot is definitely one of the worst traitors ever. By the time of the Last Supper, he had already sold Jesus to the Sanhedrin for thirty pieces of silver. He then led them to Jesus in the garden, and betrayed him to the soldiers with a kiss. Later, filled with remorse, Judas returns the money and kills himself.

He had turned his back on his friend, his mentor, and his God. Today, it is debated whether Judas was motivated by money, Roman patriotism, or being possessed. It is also debated whether or not he was damned, and if so, whether it was due to betraying Jesus or his subsequent suicide. In Dante’s Inferno, he was in the deepest pits of Hell, occupying another of Satan’s three mouths. His name is a recognized symbol of treason throughout all of Christendom. 7 Ephialtes of Trachis Not much is known of Ephialtes of Trachis outside of his rather nefarious act of treason. Thermopylae is a narrow coastal pass in Greece. It was here in 480 BC that the Persian army, numbering hundreds of thousands, possibly even over one million, clashed with the Greeks, led by Leonidas, who numbered less than seven thousand, and maybe even a mere several hundred. For two days, the Spartans bravely held off the Persians until a local shepherd, Ephialtes, showed Xerxes a small path that gave access behind the Greek lines.

On the third day, the Persians were able to use this path to encircle the Greeks and destroy the army. However, the Spartans had thrown everything they had into defending the pass, even their lives. “Stranger, announce to the Spartans that here We lie, having fulfilled their orders.” – Simonides’s epigram of the defenders The motivation for his act was a reward from Xerxes, which he never reaped. In fact, he himself was killed and Sparta rewarded the man responsible. For a long time, Ephialtes was infamous in Greece. His name was synonymous with not only treason, but nightmare as well. 6 Guy Fawkes As a young Englishman, Guy Fawkes converted to Catholicism, a faith he exercised devoutly. He left England for the Low Countries, where he fought for the Spanish Catholics against the Protestant Dutch in the Eighty Years’ War. He later returned and met Thomas Wintour and Robert Catesby, who were planning to assassinate the Protestant King James I and his government by blowing up the Parliament building; this would later become known as the Gunpowder Plot.

Prompted by an anonymous letter, authorities searched the space underneath the House of Lords and found Fawkes guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder. He was sentenced to death by hanging, drawing and quartering, but leaped from the scaffolding, committing suicide to avoid the misery. “Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot!” – British nursery rhyme The plot is remembered with bonfires and fireworks each November 5, which is known as Guy Fawkes Night, though the focus has shifted from the original treason. The name of the holiday reveals the extent to which Guy Fawkes has become synonymous with the Gunpowder Plot, possibly the largest one act of treason in English history. 5 Benedict Arnold At the beginning of the Revolution, Arnold was a successful American commander: he helped capture Fort Ticonderoga and was a significant part of winning the Battle of Saratoga, widely considered to be the turning point of the war. However, Arnold was given credit for neither success, and was brought down and humiliated by his adversaries.

Feeling scorned by the United States, he made a nefarious offer to the British: he would sell them West Point, a possible key to winning the war. The plot was exposed when a British spy, Major John Andre, was captured. Arnold fled and joined the British army, leading raids against the Americans. According to legend, on his deathbed in London, he regretted his treason: “Let me die in this old uniform in which I fought my battles. May God forgive me for ever having put on another.” However, to this day, Arnold’s name remains synonymous with traitor in American English. 4 Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger Brutus’ family, the gens Junia, was known for its hatred of tyrants; one of his ancestors overthrew the King of Rome. Once he joined the Senate, he aligned with the Optimates. During the Great Roman Civil War, he stuck by them, but Julius Caesar showed him much mercy: in fact, he ordered his officers to not struggle with him for fear of hurting him. After the war, he was restored to political office by Caesar, but was soon persuaded by Cassius to join in the most famous assassination in all of history. “Et tu, Brute?

Then fall, Caesar!” – Shakespeare’s depiction of Caesar While this line is probably fictional, it expresses Caesar’s emotion at the time extremely well. According to Plutarch, when Caesar saw Brutus among the assassins, he covered his head with his toga and resigned himself to his fate. Legend says that the strong feelings Caesar felt for Brutus were due to Caesar being Brutus’ father, which would greatly amplify the heinousness of the crime. While this is disputed, it is definite that the two had a very close relationship. He joins Judas and his co-conspirator Cassius in being held in Satan’s three mouths in Dante’s Inferno. 3 Wang Jingwei Wang Jingwei started out as a left-wing member of the Kuomintang, the Chinese Nationalist Party, in the days of the Republic. He was a close associate of Sun Yat-sen until Sun’s death. Afterwards, he struggled with Chiang Kai-shek for control of the party, but Chiang ultimately proved successful. Though disagreeing with Chiang and the party often, he stayed inside the KMT. This changed when the Japanese invaded in 1937.

He accepted the invitation of the invading armies to set up a puppet government in Nanjing, which became known as the Reorganized National Government. “Oppose Corrupt Government and Support the Reformed Nanjing Government.” – Wang Jingwei propaganda, advocating against the Republic of China and for his Imperial Japanese puppet state Wang died in 1944, and his collaborationist regime fell after Japan’s surrender. Today, he is seen as a classic example of a hanjian, or a traitor to the Han Chinese. Like other famous traitors, his name has become synonymous with treason. 2 Vidkun Quisling Quisling was a Norwegian bureaucrat, eventually serving as the Minister of Defense. In 1933, Quisling founded the Nasjonal Samling (National Gathering), a fascist party. The Nazis invaded Norway in 1940 and deftly deposed the Kingdom. After this, Quisling’s Nasjonal Samling was set up as a puppet government, while the Reichskommissariat (Realm Commissariat) exercised all true authority. Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945; Quisling was arrested on May 9.

He was executed, but not before uttering: “Believe me, in ten years’ time I will have become another Saint Olav.” (May 8, 1945, to Bjørn Foss.) Fortunately, he was wrong. Quisling’s name is still used to describe the various European puppet regimes that collaborated with the Nazis, and more generally, as a slur for any individual who seems to favor a foreign nation more than his own. 1 Mir Jafar Mir Jafar was an ambitious leader under the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-Ud-Dalah. In 1757, Robert Clive of the British East India Company made a deal with Mir Jafar, et al. They agreed to hand over the Bengali army at the Battle of Plassey in exchange for control of the new puppet state. This new puppet state, with Mir Jafar as its Nawab, paid large bribes to the Company and its officials. Two years later, Mir Jafar realized that the British were after much more: total control of the Indian subcontinent. He attempted to ally with the Danish to stop them, but this only resulted in defeat and Mir Jafar being replaced.

His replacement also attempted to stop British domination, but failed and was deposed. Mir Jafar, having regained the graces of the British, was placed back on the throne until his death in 1765. “Mir Jafar of Bengal and Mir Sadiq of Deccan are disgrace to the faith, disgrace to humanity, disgrace to the nation.” – Allama Iqbal Mir Jafar was the last ruler of Bengal to have any autonomy; after his death, the British controlled the region until Pakistani independence, almost two hundred years later. Consequently, Mir Jafar and his treason against Bengal are seen as the beginning of British rule in India. He is known as Gaddar-e-Abrar, or Betrayer of the True Faith, and his name is still synonymous with treason in both Bengali and Urdu. More Great Lists Top 10 Traitors - Toptenz.net Toptenz.net Posted by Heather Matthews on August 26, 2008 Some do it for love, some do it for money or politics: these people sold out their countries, their comrades…even their own families…changing the course of history forever.

Here is our list of Top 10 Traitors. 10. Guy Fawkes Guy Fawkes was part of a revolutionary group of Roman Catholics, who plotted to blow up most of England’s aristocracy in 1605. The infamous Gunpowder plot was foiled by authorities who caught Fawkes before he could carry out his murderous intentions: he was apprehended due to his attire of cloak, boots and spurs, a suspicious costume designed to ensure a quick getaway. Fawkes and his colleagues worked hard at their plot, using a cellar under The House of Lords as their base, and hiding over 1800 pounds of explosives in the small space. Fawkes and his co-conspirators wished to loosen the influence of the Spanish kingdom on British affairs, feeling that they drained resources from England. Guy Fawkes believed in his ideals, and he didn’t break, even under torture, refusing to name his comrades until he was sure they had already confessed. He was sentenced to by hung, drawn, and quartered in 1606, but foiled authorities by jumping from the scaffold to his demise at the last minute: even in death, he was crafty and mischievous.

His story is referenced in the film, V For Vendetta. To this day, the rebellious acts of Guy Fawkes are legendary, and the English have a special event each year, Bonfire Night, every fifth of November: it celebrates the failure of his notorious plot. 9. Robert Hanssen Hanssen grew up in a dysfunctional home, suffering abuse at the hands of his father. He started a career as a police officer in Chicago, but left to pursue employment as an FBI Special Agent in 1976. Hanssen had strange proclivities: his interest in videotaping his sexual activities with his own wife, and showing them to neighbors, put him well outside the mainstream. In 1979, he became involved with FBI counterintelligence, and this paved the way for some of the most treasonous acts in American history. In 1983, Hanssen transferred to the Soviet espionage unit within the FBI. Using his vast knowledge of computers, wiretapping, and electronic surveillance, he went on to sell lists of FBI double agents and other moles to KGB agents for large sums of money.

Hanssen was turned in to the FBI by his own brother-in-law, Mike Hauck: he is currently serving a life sentence, in solitary confinement, at ADX Florence, a supermax facility in Colorado. 8. Jane Fonda Jane Fonda grew up as Hollywood royalty, surrounded by luxury and privilege. After an easy entrée into the acting world, greased by family connections and her own good looks, Jane became a passionate activist, involving herself in causes that were controversial and, in the eyes of many American veterans of the Vietnam War (including Jon McCain) highly treasonous. “Hanoi” Jane sympathized with the North Vietnamese, posing with their anti-aircraft guns, and “questioning” American POW’s (through her comrades, the North Vietnamese) about the “benevolent” treatment they were receiving from their captors. The soldiers tried to explain to Fonda that they were in fact being ill treated, and sometimes tortured, but she didn’t believe it. Some soldiers claim they withstood more torture and suffering because they would not speak to Jane and parrot the viewpoint that their captors were kind and peaceful.

Many veterans tried to bring Jane Fonda up on charges of treason after the war, but, as some rich and famous people tend to do, she managed to escape any real punishment for her role in supporting the enemy during the Vietnamese conflict. She says now that she regrets her acts, but veterans of that conflict have yet to forgive “Hanoi Jane” for her easy embrace of the enemy. 7. Brutus Julius Caesar, self-appointed “dictator for life” of the Roman Empire, was a leader whose tyranny led to his assassination: he had many enemies in high places, including a group of senators who conspired to kill him, with the help of his own nephew, Marcus Junius Brutus. Brutus joined the Senate in Rome after an early and very lucrative career as a moneylender. On the day of Caesar’s assassination, there were rumors that the plot had been discovered, and many of the conspirators were wary of carrying out the plan. Brutus’ own wife pleaded with him to stay far away from the Senate that day. Brutus was undaunted, and he went to lie in wait for his uncle, along with a group of senators who then attacked the dictator with their bare hands.

The famous quote, “Et tu, Brutus?” was uttered by Caesar as he took in the depths of his betrayal by his own nephew. The assassins attacked Julius Caesar so savagely, that they themselves were injured in the melee. Brutus committed suicide after losing the Second Battle of Philippi in 42 B.C. 6. Wang Jingwei Considered the greatest traitor in Chinese history, Wang Jingwei was born in 1883. When he turned 21, he went to school in Japan, where he encountered Sun-Yat Sen, a famous Chinese revolutionary. Under the influence of Sen, he began to participate in plots against the government, including an abortive assassination attempt on the Manchu Regent in Beijing. Jang stayed in prison until the Wuchang uprising in 1911: after that time, Sun remained his mentor. Sun Yat-Sen’s Guangdong government rose to power in 1920: when Sun lay on his deathbed in 1925, Wang was his chosen successor. Wang could not hold onto power, however: Jiang Jieshi’s military faction usurped him the very same year.

When Nanjing fell to the Japanese in 1937, Wang began his traitorous dealings with the Japanese government, earning his place in history. He supported Japan’s plans for an armistice in a notorious telegram that led to his expulsion from the Chongqing government. When China was in crisis and needed him most, Jingwei took pains to ally with the Japanese and go along with its invaders. Wang died before he could witness the defeat of the Japanese by Allied forces in WWII. 5. The Rosenbergs Selling atomic secrets to the Russians during the Cold War is about as treasonous it as gets: the Rosenbergs were a married couple willing to do anything to further their Communist beliefs. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg’s were affiliated with the Communist Party quite openly until 1943, when they suddenly seemed to retreat from any political activity: this was the same year they joined forces with Soviet super spy, Feliksov. From then on, Julius Rosenberg was heavily involved in espionage against the American government: he acted as a mule for covert information exchanges with the Russians, and sought out new recruits to betray and spy for the USSR. He was arrested as he shaved one morning in 1950.

He and his wife, Ethel, were executed on June 19, 1953. 4. Benedict Arnold Benedict Arnold was an American general who served the cause of the American Revolution until he decided to shift his allegiance to the British. Born in Connecticut in January 1741, he came from a troubled background, where his family struggled to survive poverty and hardship. Always known as a troublemaking child, he grew to become a prominent figure in the military, where he trained soldiers and planned out attacks. From an early start as a war hero and patriot, Arnold plotted to turn over the American fort at West Point, New York to British forces during the American Revolution. His plot was unsuccessful and he was driven to escape by sea, under cover of darkness, to Britain, where he was not welcomed with open arms: they, too, distrusted the man who would betray his own country so readily. He died in poverty in Canada in 1801. 3. Aldrich Ames Ames entered the Soviet Embassy in Washington in 1985 and offered to sell American secrets for one reason only: money.

He was an alcoholic with a very expensive second wife, a woman name Rosario who burned through his paychecks from the CIA with alarming frequency. In order to give the woman he loved the lifestyle she demanded, he was willing to do a lot of damage to the US government: by releasing the names of American spies and other counterintelligence information, he compromised over 100 United States military operations. Thanks to Aldritch, who earned about 4.6 million dollars for his efforts, 10 Americans were executed because their covers were “blown”. In time, he revealed the names of every US agent in operation against the USSR. His lavish lifestyle raised red flags for the CIA, and he was arrested and convicted to life in prison: his wife, Rosario, was deported to South America. 2. Vidkun Quisling Considered a lunatic right-winger in his native Norway, Quisling went unnoticed until forming his National Unity Party in 1933. He adored Hitler and was a firm believer in the doctrine of Fascism. Quisling, a military general, met with Hitler and made sure he had all the information he needed about Norwegian military strategy, so that Hitler could secure the occupation of Norway.

When the Germans invaded, Quisling was appointed as Premier, as the deposed government officials scattered and ran, trying to stay alive. The citizens of Norway were disgusted by his appointment, and rebelled until he was forced to step down. Nonetheless, Hitler had him reinstated that November. A failure and a weak politician, Quisling often made a fool of himself, even in the eyes of his Nazi collaborators. After the German surrender in Norway, Quisling was tried and convicted for deaths of 1000 Jews, along other war crimes. He was executed in 1945. 1. Judas Iscariot According to the Bible, Satan “entered Judas” before he betrayed the son of Christ to Roman authorities. This infamous member of the Twelve Apostles betrayed his friend for money alone – thirty pieces of silver. Judas arranged a special signal to let the authorities know the identity of Jesus Christ: he would kiss Jesus to identify him. This “Judas kiss” led to the prosecution and death by crucifixion of the Son of God, and puts Judas Iscariot at number one as the most notorious traitor in human history: Judas died shortly after his monumental act of greed.

| Permalink Heather, I question the inclusion of two of the people on the list. Jane Fonda, though despicable and naive, did not reveal any information to the North Vietnamese–she was merely a propaganda trophy. Judas Iscariot (a pseudonym: ish keriot means man of the towns in Hebrew) was not a traitor in any real sense of the word. Jesus was tried by the legal ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas, and by the Romans. If he really was the son of God than his going through with the torture and execution by the Romans was voluntary. Since Jesus was one man and the only one who suffered as a result of the “treachery,” his betrayal should hardly be considered the most important in all of human history. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of Christianity he was merely an agent of God. | Permalink Judas Iscariot probably wasn’t even a real person. Judas is a corruption of Judah or Yehuda in Hebrew and Iscariot or Eish Keriot means man of the towns. So it is probably a Christian attack on urban centers as being the source of corruption and evil.

The existence of Judas is necessary to fill a plot hole in the story. But in general your list strikes me as arbitrary both in who is included and in the rank order of the ten. Why was Robert Hanson ranked no. 9 and Ames ranked no. 3? You mention the Rosenburgs but not other nuclear spies like Klaus Fuchs and Ted Hall. Most historians consider Fuchs to have been a more important traitor than the Rosenburgs. | Permalink I disagree with Benedict Arnold and question Brutus+ Robert Hanssen, Benedict Arnold’s achievements were passed on as other persons and they got the credit, he also spent money on the continental army and wasn’t going to be reimbursed… he joined the British as a sign that as Americans do not appreciate him enough that he will go to the other side to show his worth..

and that he wouldn’t just stand in line taking these insults without consequence… showing a strong degree of the power of the individual over the conformity of a group Brutus may have been the nephew of Julius but for the principles of the Roman Republic and against tyranny of Caesar thought that assasinating Caesar with his co-conspirators was the only way to protect the republic from an approaching kingship (all but name)… this urges the question of which is the greater treachery against family or nation? Robert Hannsen betrayed “his” country but he was betrayed by his brother in law! Judas #1 for sure. | Permalink You more than off on your facts here. Do a better job on research next time: The British gave Arnold a brigadier general's commission with an annual income of several hundred pounds, but only paid him £6,315 plus an annual pension of £360 because his plot failed.[4] In December 1780, under orders from Clinton, Arnold led a force of 1,600 troops into Virginia, where he captured Richmond by surprise and then went on a rampage through Virginia, destroying supply houses, foundries, and mills.

He also earned him and his sons a land grant of 15,000 acres (6,100 ha) in Upper Canada,[100] near present-day Renfrew, Ontario. [101 (French Revolution from England) Arnold was buried at St. Mary's Church, Battersea in London, England. As a result of a clerical error in the parish records, his remains were removed to an unmarked mass grave during church renovations a century later.[104] His funeral procession boasted "seven mourning coaches and four state carriages";[83] the funeral was without military honors.[105] Top 10 Traitors in US History - Listverse Top 10 Traitors in US History Xilebat July 4, 2010 Black’s Law Dictionary defines “treason” as ”attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which one owes allegiance, either by making war against the state or by materially supporting its enemies”. Submitted here are ten people who did their level best to see that America couldn’t celebrate her official 234th birthday this week.

And yes, this list is “too American.” 10 Jane Fonda During the height of the Vietnam war in 1972, film starlet Jane Fonda visited North Vietnam and shilled for the North Vietnamese government, screeching that American prisoners of war (POWs) were being treated humanely. She then went on to condemn all US soldiers as “war criminals”. On hearing that many POWs claimed to have been tortured, Fonda denounced them as “liars”. She encountered no legal or professional repercussions upon her return to the US, but claims to deeply regret her actions today. How nice for her. 9 Adam Yahiye Gadahn An American-born convert to Islam, Adam Yahiye Gadahn (aka, “Azzam the American”) threatened a terrorist attack on Los Angeles in a 2005 Al Qaeda video. As a full-on member of their “media committee”, Gadahn served Al Qaeda as translator, video producer, cultural interpreter and spokesman. His zeal in their propaganda was cartoonish in its intensity, but all too real.

After Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahiri endorsed the videos—some of which referred to the United States as “enemy soil”–the Justice Department indicted Gadahn, the first American accused of treason since World War Two. It is widely believed that “Azzam the American” is now “Azzam the Dead American”; following reports that he was killed by a Predator drone in January 2008. 8 Aldrich Ames Aldrich Ames began working for the CIA during high school, and did so until he was discovered to be a Soviet double agent in 1994. He specialized in selling the identities of CIA agents, placed within the KGB, to the KGB. In true cloak-and-dagger fashion, Ames would mark a blue postal drop box with a piece of chalk whenever he needed to contact his KGB handlers. The damage he caused US intelligence efforts can’t really be known, but conservative estimates indicate that he exposed over 100 agents, and was directly responsible for at least 10 deaths. A thorough accounting of his finances revealed that he and his wife made over $4.6 million over the course of their espionage career.

Ames explained the full extent of his activities as part of a plea bargain to mitigate his wife’s sentence (how gallant). As a result, Ames was sentenced to life in prison, while his wife received 63 months. 7 Tokyo Rose “Tokyo Rose” is a collective nickname applied to not one, but several sultry-voiced women who worked for Radio Tokyo during World War 2. In between popular songs, these sirens cooed Japanese propaganda designed to make American soldiers nostalgic and homesick. UCLA grad Iva Toguri D’Aquino was the most infamous. An American citizen of Japanese descent, she worked as a Radio Tokyo announcer from 1943-1945. Immediately after the war, D’Aquino was arrested, but released without being charged. Authorities reopened her case with a vengeance in 1948, and she was promptly convicted of treason in 1949. D’Aquino served six years in prison. Throughout her trial she denied any disloyalty to the US, and prosecutors didn’t present a single radio broadcast as evidence against her.

In fact, critical testimony against her was later found to be false and coerced, to the extent that President Gerald Ford pardoned D’Aquino in 1977. 6 Aaron Burr Yes, an American Vice President was also one of its greatest traitors. Fresh off his duel with Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr noticed his political career was now as dead as Hamilton was. So he looked fondly on the Louisiana territory, with its disputed borders, and residents toying with secessionist notions. Burr believed a small army could steal Louisiana away, so he contacted Britain’s ambassador, offering to help Britain take the territory. In return, Burr wanted money and ships. But he also needed a general. So Burr sent the infamous “Cipher Letter” to General James Wilkinson, Commander-in-Chief of the US Army, detailing the plot and requesting his services. However, Wilkinson believed the plan would fail, and ratted him out to President Thomas Jefferson. Thus, on December 9, 1806, the US Army seized most of Burr’s boats and supplies. But Burr knew it was REALLY over when he saw a New Orleans newspaper article with a verbatim copy of the Cipher Letter to Britain.

Burr appeared in court and was not initially indicted, but fled when asked to appear a second time. After recapture, he was found not guilty, due to a very precise Supreme Court reading of the Constitution’s definition of treason. He then fled to Europe but returned after four years, finding work as an attorney. 5 Julius and Ethel Rosenberg In 1953, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were the first American civilians executed under Section 2 of the Espionage Act. Charges related to passing atomic bomb secrets to Russian agents (the data came from Ethel’s brother, who worked on the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos). Their legal prosecution was the “Trial of the Century” (prior to O.J., at least), and many felt the couple were unfairly convicted. However, recently declassified cables from the Soviet Union’s VENONA project, now support testimony that Julius was, indeed, a courier and recruiter for the USSR. In fact, Morton Sobell, who was tried along with the Rosenbergs (and served 17 years in prison), admitted in 2008 that yes, he was a spy, and that Julius Rosenberg handed atomic bomb information to the Soviets.

4 Robert Hanssen Robert Hanssen is a former FBI agent who spied for Soviet and Russian intelligence services against the United States for 22 years (1979 to 2001). During his espionage career Hanssen compromised scores of investigations and operations, including the surveillance of suspected mole Felix Bloch, and completed an eavesdropping tunnel directly under the Soviet Embassy decoding room. At one time, he even became responsible for apprehending himself, and he passed some of that off to Aldrich Ames (above). Worse, however, were his leaks to the USSR of every KGB agent contacting the FBI— conveniently identifying detected double-agents and prospective defectors alike. The FBI was so flummoxed at finding Hanssen, they had to buy the information to put him away (most of which they already had). Cash and Hanssen’s carelessness eventually led to his capture, and in 2001 he pled guilty to 13 counts of espionage in the United States. He was then sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole, and can be found in America’s “Supermax” prison, where he remains in his cell, alone, 23 hours a day.

Many have described his activities as “possibly the worst intelligence disaster in US history.” 3 Nidal Malik Hasan Nidal Malik Hasan was a U.S. Army Major, and the sole suspect in a shooting at the Fort Hood military base, only weeks before he would have deployed to Afghanistan. Prior to the shooting, Hasan had repeatedly expressed extremist views, most of which had been communicated to his superiors and the FBI. The Feds had even monitored his e-mails to Imam Anwar al-Awlaki, also known as the “Bin Laden of the Internet”. Sadly, political correctness and a slow-moving investigation prevented the Army from taking action before Hasan murdered 13 people and wounded 30 others. Oddly, the Pentagon never mentions Hasan’s Islamism in its entire 86-page review of the incident. Never mind that during the attack, he was not in uniform, but dressed in traditional Muslim clothing, and was shooting unarmed victims while shouting “Allah Ackbar”. Hasan currently resides under heavy guard at the Brooke Army Medical Center in Houston, Texas, reportedly a paraplegic. 2 John Walker, Jr. In 1967, Navy communications officer John Walker, Jr.

snuck into the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C., and offered to sell secrets. He then handed over settings for the KL-47 cipher machine, which decoded sensitive US Navy messages. His motivations were purely financial, and he proved to be a screaming bargain: over the next 17 years, Walker gave the KGB the locations of all American nuclear submarines, as well as the procedures the US would follow to launch nuclear missiles at the Soviet Union in the event of war. The Soviets also learned the locations of underwater microphones tracking Soviet nuclear submarines. Moreover, KGB agents learned every American troop and air movement to Vietnam from 1971-1973, and they passed this on to their allies, including the planned sites and times for U.S. airstrikes against North Vietnam. According to Vitaly Yurchenko, a KGB defector, “It was the greatest case in KGB history. We deciphered millions of your messages. If there had been a war, we would have won it.” 1 Benedict Arnold His name is synonymous with disloyalty. During the American Revolutionary War, Arnold began the war in the Continental Army, but later defected to the British Army.

While still a general on the American side, he became Commander of the West Point fort in New York, and offered to surrender it to the British. After the plot came to light, in September 1780, Arnold joined the British Army as a brigadier general, with a sizable pension and £6,000 signing bonus. Many believe that he was frustrated at being passed over for promotion, sickened by others taking credit for his achievements, and tired of (groundless) accusations that he exacted private property for the use of the army . In fact, Congressional investigations later found Arnold had spent much of his own money on the American war effort. Much like Aaron Burr (above) Arnold’s plan unraveled due to an intercepted document: when American forces captured British Major John André carrying papers revealing the proposed surrender of West Point, Arnold fled to a British ship docked on the Hudson river, narrowly escaping the forces of one highly pissed off George Washington. Britain quickly secured Arnold’s services, and he led British raids in Virginia, New London and Groton, Connecticut, before the war ended with the American victory at Yorktown. Arnold died in London, and monuments to him there are ambiguous at best.

More Great Lists Spies, Patriots, and Traitors | Georgetown University Press Home › Spies, Patriots, and Traitors Spies, Patriots, and Traitors 336 pp., 6 x 9 Paperback American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War Kenneth A. Daigler Students and enthusiasts of American history are familiar with the Revolutionary War spies Nathan Hale and Benedict Arnold, but few studies have closely examined the wider intelligence efforts that enabled the colonies to gain their independence. Spies, Patriots, and Traitors provides readers with a fascinating, well-documented, and highly readable account of American intelligence activities during the era of the Revolutionary War, from 1765 to 1783, while describing the intelligence sources and methods used and how our Founding Fathers learned and practiced their intelligence role. The author, a retired CIA officer, provides insights into these events from an intelligence professional's perspective, highlighting the tradecraft of intelligence collection, counterintelligence, and covert actions and relating how many of the principles of the era's intelligence practice are still relevant today. Kenneth A.

Daigler reveals the intelligence activities of famous personalities such as Samuel Adams, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Nathan Hale, John Jay, and Benedict Arnold, as well as many less well-known figures. He examines the important role of intelligence in key theaters of military operations, such as Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and in General Nathanael Greene's campaign in South Carolina; the role of African Americans in the era's intelligence activities; undertakings of networks such as the Culper Ring; and intelligence efforts and paramilitary actions conducted abroad. Spies, Patriots, and Traitors adds a new dimension to our understanding of the American Revolution. The book's scrutiny of the tradecraft and management of Revolutionary War intelligence activities will be of interest to students, scholars, intelligence professionals, and anyone who wants to learn more about this fascinating era of American history. Kenneth A. Daigler is a retired career CIA operations officer. He has a BA in history from Centre College of Kentucky and an MA in history from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and has served in the US Marine Corps. He has written articles about intelligence for the CIA Historical Division's journal Studies in Intelligence, the Association of Former Intelligence Officers' Intelligencer, and other publications.

Reviews "An interesting history and useful textbook. As a history, it is impressive in both scholarship and readability."—Naval Intelligence Professionals "Even those familiar with the broad outlines of his story will find professional insights beyond the knowledge of academic historians . . . perhaps the best you are going to find on the birth of American intelligence."—The Washington Times "Impressively and meticulously weaves together information from over 170 sources, including works by John Bakeless, Carl Van Doren, John Nagy, and other eminent historians, to create an exceptionally broad, inclusive, and thoroughly-researched volume on American intelligence . . . . With hard-hitting conclusions, the book is always interesting and often gripping - there is no shortage of exciting spy stories here. Not only did I learn from the book, I enjoyed reading it."—Journal of the American Revolution "Lively, engaging narrative covers intelligence gathering in practically every theater of the conflict."—Choice "There have been a few books on this subject in recent decades but none have the breadth and scope of this one. And none are as well documented and written.

Daigler reaches across the panoply of espionage activity and paints the big picture while diving deep in areas that are bound to fascinate the reader. . . . One of the many things that sets this work apart from others like it is the author's personal experience in the trade of espionage. He draws from that to analyze many of the cases and he explains the aspects of espionage that have remained eternal: planning, security and communications."—Yankee Doodle Spies "Provides a good review of intelligence in the Revolutionary War as viewed by a professional."—Hayden Peake, Studies in Intelligence "Mr. Daigler has pulled together much information from many sources, and illustrates why their actual stories are better than the vague memories most of us have carried away from primary school . . . this well-written book makes learning about this important part of our history a pleasure."—American Diplomacy "We are just beginning to appreciate how patterns of digital data can be mined to yield a great deal of intelligence about our enemies—and about us, too.

We accordingly should seek to uncover what lessons we can from historical precedent about how best to navigate this brave new world of intelligence, and Kenneth Daigler's Spies, Patriots, and Traitors allows us to begin at our nation's start, when the desire for independence pulled us headlong into the game of spies."—New England Law Review on Remand "A great read on the American Revolution, particularly if, like me, you are not well versed in its details, as well as its geographic and political sweep. And for those of us in CI, it serves as a source of object lessons in how to do things well, and what mistakes to avoid."—Proactive Intelligence "Provides insights . . .

from an intelligence professional's perspective, highlighting the tradecraft of intelligence collection, counterintelligence, and covert actions and relating how many of the principles of the era's intelligence practice are still relevant today."—The Intelligencer "A wonderful read from two perspectives: first, as a look at American intelligence in our own Revolution, and second, as a compressed walk through the history of that Revolution."—International Association for Intelligence Education Newsletter "A highly readable account of American intelligence activities during the Revolutionary War, from 1765 to 1783, describing the intelligence sources and methods used and how our Founding Fathers learned and practiced their intelligence role. The author, a retired CIA officer, provides insights into these events from an intelligence professional's perspective."—Perspectives on Politics "Ken Daigler's well documented and researched study demonstrates how integral the panoply of intelligence disciplines—obtaining secrets from spies, covert action, and counterintelligence—was to the conflict that won American independence. From his unique perspective as a professional intelligence officer, he provides new insights into well known stories of the Revolution and also sheds light on the role of intelligence in rarely treated events.

The book is an essential read for anyone interested in the Revolutionary War and in the origins and development of intelligence in US history."—Michael Sulick, retired CIA intelligence operations officer, former director of the CIA's National Clandestine Service, and author of Spying in America and American Spies. "Spies, Patriots, and Traitors is the most comprehensive book yet on American intelligence activities in the War of Independence. Kenneth Daigler's fascinating work of synthesis and original research makes a valuable contribution to the study of the American Revolution."—Steven Siry, professor of history, Baldwin Wallace University 1. George Washington Learns the Intelligence Trade 2. The United Front Campaign That Led to the American Revolution 3. The Intelligence War Begins 4. Covert Action in Europe Leading to the French Alliance 5. Nathan Hale and the British Occupation of New York City 6. John Jay's Efforts at Counterintelligence 7. Washington Establishes His Intelligence Capabilities 8. Benedict Arnold: Hero Turned Traitor 9. American Intelligence Activities Reach Maturity 10. Nathanael Greene and Intelligence in the Southern Campaign 11. Yorktown and the Endgame 12.

The African American Role in American Intelligence Activities 13. Conclusion Appendix: Timeline of Revolution Era Events Notes Benedict Arnold - American Revolution - HISTORY.com Google Early Life Benedict Arnold was born on January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut . His mother came from a wealthy family, but his father squandered their estate. As a young man, Arnold apprenticed at an apothecary business and served in the militia during the French and Indian War (1754-63). Did You Know? In an unusual tribute to an ex-hero, a statue near the Saratoga battlefield commemorates Benedict Arnold's leg, which he wounded badly both there and in Quebec in combat against the British before his betrayal. The statue shows nothing of Arnold's body but his leg, and doesn't mention him by name. In 1767, Arnold, who became a prosperous trader, married Margaret Mansfield. The couple had three children before Margaret’s death in 1775. Hero of the American Revolution When the Revolutionary War broke out between Great Britain and its 13 American colonies in April 1775, Arnold joined the Continental Army.

Acting under a commission from the revolutionary government of Massachusetts , Arnold partnered with Vermont frontiersman Ethan Allen (1738-89) and Allen’s Green Mountain Boys to capture the unsuspecting British garrison at Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York on May 10, 1775. Later that year, Arnold led an ill-fated expedition on a harrowing trek from Maine to Quebec. The purpose of the expedition was to rally the inhabitants of Canada behind the Patriot cause and deprive the British government of a northern base from which to mount strikes into the 13 colonies. With the enlistments of many of his men expiring on New Year’s Day, Arnold had no choice but to launch a desperate attack against well-fortified Quebec City through a blizzard on December 31, 1775. Early in the battle, Arnold received a grave wound to his leg and was carried to the back of the battlefield. The assault continued, but failed miserably. Hundreds of American soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, and Canada remained in British hands. By the later part of 1776, Arnold had recovered sufficiently from his wound to once again take the field.

He played a crucial role in hindering a British invasion from Canada into New York in the autumn of that year. Correctly predicting that British General Guy Carleton (1724-1808) would sail an invading force down Lake Champlain, Arnold supervised the hasty construction of an American flotilla on that lake to meet Carleton’s fleet. On October 11, 1776, the American fleet surprised its foe near Valcour Bay. Although Carleton’s flotilla drove the Americans away, Arnold’s action delayed Carleton’s approach long enough that, by the time the British general reached New York, the battle season was near an end, and the British had to return to Canada. Arnold’s performance at the Battle of Lake Champlain rescued the Patriot cause from potential disaster. Despite his heroic service, Arnold felt he did not receive the recognition he deserved. He resigned from the Continental Army in 1777 after Congress promoted five junior officers above him. General George Washington (1732-99), the commander in chief of the Continental Army, urged Arnold to reconsider.

Arnold rejoined the army in time to participate in the defense of central New York from an invading British force under General John Burgoyne in the fall of 1777. In the battles against Burgoyne, Arnold served under General Horatio Gates (1728-1806), an officer whom Arnold came to hold in contempt. The antipathy was mutual, and Gates at one point relieved Arnold of his command. Nonetheless, at the pivotal Battle of Bemis Heights on October 7, 1777, Arnold defied Gates’ authority and took command of a group of American soldiers whom he led in an assault against the British line. Arnold’s attack threw the enemy into disarray and contributed greatly to the American victory. Ten days later, Burgoyne surrendered his entire army at Saratoga. News of the surrender convinced France to enter the war on the side of the Americans. Once again, Arnold had brought his country a step closer to independence. However, Gates downplayed Arnold’s contributions in his official reports and claimed most of the credit for himself. Meanwhile, Arnold seriously wounded the same leg he had injured at Quebec in the battle.

Rendered temporarily incapable of a field command, he accepted the position of military governor of Philadelphia in 1778. While there, his loyalties began to change. A Treacherous Plot During his term as governor, rumors, not entirely unfounded, circulated through Philadelphia accusing Arnold of abusing his position for his personal profit. Questions were also raised about Arnold’s courtship and marriage to the young Peggy Shippen (1760-1804), the daughter of a man suspected of Loyalist sympathies. Arnold and his second wife, with whom he would have five children, lived a lavish lifestyle in Philadelphia, accumulating substantial debt. The debt and the resentment Arnold felt over not being promoted faster were motivating factors in his choice to become a turncoat. He concluded that his interests would be better served assisting the British than continuing to suffer for an American army he saw as ungrateful. By the end of 1779, Arnold had begun secret negotiations with the British to surrender the American fort at West Point, New York, in return for money and a command in the British army. Arnold’s chief intermediary was British Major John André (1750-80).

André was captured in September 1780, while crossing between British and American lines, disguised in civilian clothes. Papers found on André incriminated Arnold in treason. Learning of André’s capture, Arnold fled to British lines before the Patriots could arrest him. West Point remained in American hands, and Arnold only received a portion of his promised bounty. André was hanged as a spy in October 1780. Arnold soon became one of the most reviled figures in U.S. history. Ironically, his treason became his final service to the American cause. By 1780, Americans had grown frustrated with the slow progress toward independence and their numerous battlefield defeats. However, word of Arnold’s treachery re-energized the Patriots’ sagging morale. Later Life After fleeing to the enemy side, Arnold received a commission with the British army and served in several minor engagements against the Americans. After the war, which ended in victory for the Americans with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, Arnold resided in England. He died in London on June 14, 1801, at age 60.

The British regarded him with ambivalence, while his former countrymen despised him. Following his death, Arnold’s memory lived on in the land of his birth, where his name became synonymous with the word “traitor.” Tags Benedict Arnold, American traitor, born - Jan 14, 1741 - HISTORY.com Benedict Arnold, American traitor, born Share this: Benedict Arnold, American traitor, born Author Benedict Arnold, American traitor, born URL Publisher A+E Networks Benedict Arnold, the American general during the Revolutionary War who betrayed his country and became synonymous with the word “traitor,” was born on this day in 1741. Arnold, who was raised in a respected family in Norwich, Connecticut, apprenticed with an apothecary and was a member of the militia during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). He later became a successful trader and joined the Continental Army when the Revolutionary War broke out between Great Britain and its 13 American colonies in 1775.

During the war, Arnold proved himself to be a brave, skilled leader, helping Ethan Allen’s troops capture Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 and then taking part in the unsuccessful attack on British Quebec later that year, which earned him a promotion to brigadier general. Arnold distinguished himself in campaigns at Lake Champlain, Ridgefield and Saratoga, and gained the support of George Washington. However, Arnold had enemies within the military and in 1777, a group of lower-ranking men were promoted ahead of him. Over the next several years, Arnold married a second time and he and his wife led a lavish lifestyle in Philadelphia, racking up substantial debt. Money problems and the resentment Arnold felt over not being promoted faster were factors in his decision to become a turncoat. In 1780, Arnold was given command of West Point, the American fort on the Hudson River in New York (and future home of the United States Military Academy, established in 1802). Arnold contacted Sir Henry Clinton, head of the British forces, and proposed handing over West Point and its men.

On September 21 of that year, Arnold met with British Major John Andre and made his traitorous pact, in which the American was to receive a large sum of money and a high position in the British army. However, the conspiracy was uncovered and Andre was captured and killed. Arnold fled to the enemy side and went on to lead British troops in Virginia and Connecticut. He later moved to England, though he never received all of what he’d been promised by the British. The former American hero and patriot died in London, in relative obscurity, on June 14, 1801. More on This Topic Benedict Arnold Benedict Arnold by Janelle Pavao Benedict Arnold is the most famous Revolutionary War spy, though to Americans he is more commonly called a traitor. His very name has become associated with being a traitor. How did this happen? Battle Field at Ticonderoga, where Benedict Arnold was first stationed Biography Benedict was born January 14, 1741, in Norwich, Connecticut to Benedict and Hannah Arnold. As a young boy his family his father was a successful businessman.

When the yellow fever came through their household it left only him and his sister Hannah alive out of the five children, his father drowned his sorrows in alcohol and their finances dwindled rapidly. Benedict Jr. was pulled from school, and was apprenticed to some cousins on his mother's side who ran an apothecary. He tried to join the militia once, but wasn't allowed, though he eventually did join the militia to fight against the French in the French and Indian War . When his mother died, he took on the responsibility of taking care of his father and sister. In 1767 Benedict Arnold took Margaret Mansfield to be his wife. He worked for his cousin for a few more years, during which time he fathered three boys. Then war came. Benedict Arnold, the Soldier He joined the Army and became Captain of the Governor's guard. He was very successful in the beginning of his career in war, but he was soon sent on a mission and illegally joined by a group that was very disagreeable in his eyes. The whole mission he grew angrier and angrier with them. When he returned congress did nothing with the men. This infuriated him but was just to be the beginning of his troubles.

Through the years his social status went down, his wife died, and his rank as an officer was demoted several times. He was constantly in disagreement with the congress, and they were constantly infuriating him. He was assigned a task to serve at Ticonderoga. There he was second in command, and after three days he discovered that he and the general had very different ideas on how to fight. They argued over it for a while, then they both just gave it up. The next day Arnold ordered his horse and charged into battle. Upon seeing this, the soldiers received inspiration and charged in to fight alongside him. Just when victory was at hand, Arnold's horse was shot in the breast. It fell and landed on Arnold's leg, crippling it permanently. He was then deported to Philadelphia. Benedict Arnold's signature (public domain) Benedict Arnold: British Spy and American Traitor In Philly Benedict met his second wife, Peggy Shippen. She was 18 years old and he was 38 when they were married. His marriage to Peggy raised his social status immensely. Soon after, though, the congress did one more thing to make him angry, and by that winter he had decided to secretly trade with the British.

He was very useful to them due to his closeness with Washington from all those years of fighting. After a while, though, his courier was found with a letter in his sock to the British general. The courier was brought before congress and beheaded. Benedict Escapes When Arnold heard of this he escaped on the ship his courier was supposed to use, and he went to London. He was rewarded very well for his services and received land for himself and his family to live on in Canada. He tried to become a ship merchant, but they had no use for a cripple. He never found an actual job, but he did not live much longer so his reward money sufficed until he died. All in all I think the worst thing that was hurt about Benedict Arnold was his pride. Aaron Burr Custom Search ©2010-2016. Paul Pavao, Janelle Pavao, and Esther Pavao. all rights reserved. A special thank you to Tipharah Hobbs and Jeremiah Briggs, whose passion for history helped inspire this site. Thank you to Public Domain Images and Wikimedia Commons for their great service.

This web site, like all published works, can be quoted without permission as long as the quote constitutes "fair use," an undefined legal term. Usually, quotes should be limited to a paragraph or two, and the law dictates that quoting more than 50% of a document is a copyright violation. Citations MLA format for referencing Revolutionary-War.net: Last Name, First Name. "Page Title." Revolutionary-War.net. Greatest Stories Ever Told. 2014. Accessed day month year. < Note that the words in blue need to be changed to match the title, date, and URL. Author names and page titles can be found on each page. Revolutionary War Generals Revolutionary War Generals Revolutionary War generals constitute some of the most famous Americans and British in history. A surprising number of people made their names during the American War for Independence. The ancient Roman way of life and warfare was a great example for these generals. American Generals Benedict Arnold is mentioned above. General Horatio Gates, public domain image Horatio Gates : a controversial figure who campaigned unsuccessfully to replace Washington as commander-in-chief, then disappeared from the war after being routed by British forces at Camden in 1780.

General Nathanael Greene was a well-respected and faithful servant of the Continental Army. He emerged from the Revolutionary War as one of Washington's most trusted and successful generals. Nathanael Greene is best remembered for his success in the Southern Campaign against General Cornwallis. William Heath fought in the Battle of Lexington , Concord , the Siege of Boston , Long Island , Harlem Heights, and many others as well as having a political career. General Henry Knox was the youngest Major General in the Continental Army. General Charles Lee was a leader during the American Revolution. He was second-in-command to General George Washington, and famously believed that he ought to have been given leadership of the army. He criticized Washington's decisions and openly attacked his reputation. He was eventually dismissed from the army. Benjamin Lincoln fought all over the United States from northern New York and Massachusetts down to Charleston. He took part in many battles, losing some, but was finally able to oversee the surrender of the British at Yorktown. The Marquis de Lafayette was French, but he fought in the Revolutionary War as a general and an aide and friend to General Washington. General Daniel Morgan was a general in the Revolutionary War, a talented battlefield tactician, and a politician.

He took part in two of the most important turning points in the revolution. Joseph Reed was a lawyer, Adjutant General in the Revolutionary War, and a member of the Continental Congress. Baron von Steuben was a German-born officer in the Prussian army who volunteered his services in the Continental army. His "blue book" and training methods revolutionized the American army's methods. Artemas Ward was a Major General in the Continental army who went on to have a political career after the war. George Washington is, of course, the most famous of Revolutionary War generals and was commander-in-chief of the colonial forces. Anthony Wayne was an American Statesman, who became a general and fought in the Revolutionary War. He made military his career. His bravery and daring exploits earned him the nickname "Mad Anthony." John Burgoyne returned to England in disgrace after surrendering at the Battle of Saratoga . General Sir Guy Carleton was commander of British troops during the American War of Independence, specifically leading the defense during the Battle of Quebec. Carleton was also responsible for the safe removal of the Tories and freed slaves who joined the British. Henry Clinton led the British as Commander-in-Chief for much of the American Revolution.

His meticulous record-keeping has given us our only historical information on some Revolutionary War spies . Lord General Charles Cornwallis was blamed by General Henry Clinton for the loss of the colonies, but he proved to be a capable general and politician in Ireland and India after the Revolutionary War.

Question: Who is the most famous traitor of the American Revolution?
Answer: Benedict Arnold