Benedict Arnold (1741 - 1801) was an American military officer during the American Revolutionary War. Born on January 14, 1741, Arnold initially fought for the Patriot cause and played a key role in important victories, including the Battle of Saratoga. However, Arnold later defected to the British in 1780 after secretly planning to surrender the fort at West Point. His betrayal made his name synonymous with treason in American history.