We often talk about how “evil” Benedict Arnold was, how his name was often associated with the word “Traitor”. Then we hear what he was like: brilliant, victorious leader, highly successful and credited battle hero, and the list goes on. But do we really know if Benedict Arnold was as bad as his reputation says? Was Benedict Arnold a traitor or a hero? There have been six Benedict Arnolds including the traitor to the United States of America. The first Benedict Arnold sailed from New England to New Port, Rode Island, the second became a barrel maker, the second became a member of the House of Colonies several times, the fourth was a barrel maker, the fifth died as a child, and the sixth he was born on January 14, 1741, one of the coldest Januarys in the Northeast and was not expected to survive the bitter cold of winter. His parents were Benedict Arnold and Hannah Arnold (wife of Absalom King). As Benedict Arnold grew up, he was a “Dare Devil,” said a local resident in 1751. There is a well-known story about Benedict Arnold of when he waited in line at a local mill waiting to turn his corn into flour corn. He became very interested in the wheel outside the mill and jumped on it and rode it, then it stayed submerged for a few seconds and then it reappeared and this was the beginning of Arnold's adventurous life. Later, Benedict Arnold was sent to receive a better education at Canterbury Boarding School and wrote to his mother often. In August 1753, Benedict Arnold's sisters were struck by yellow fever during the yellow fever epidemic. When his mother wrote to him, he wrote: "For three or four days we have been regarding Mary as someone just emerging from the shores of time and by the looks of it, Hannah is right behind. Prepare for the worst. What a… middle of paper… . if he had enough, he would sacrifice his country." The English accepted Benedict Arnold's offer; Benedict Arnold knew he would be hung by the neck until his death for "espionage" and left his family. In 1781 Arnold served in the Royal Army and led the attack on Virginia and destroyed the Virginia fleet. Soon after Benedict Arnold went into exile until October 1801, where he fell from the gallows with every step, one step closer to death. Benedict Arnold's life was very hard from an early age. But the question still remains: Was Benedict Arnold a hero based on his heroic actions or a traitor based on his act of betrayal? Works Cited“Benedict Arnold” Benedict Arnold www.history.navy.mil“Benedict Arnold “Benedict Arnold www.ushistory. orgSheinkin, Steve. The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A Story of Adventure, Heroism, and Betrayal (Book)