Benedict Arnold (congressman)

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Benedict Arnold (October 5, 1780 – March 3, 1849) was an American politician from New York, and a member of the House of Representatives. He was born in Amsterdam, in modern Montgomery County, New York.

He was named in honor of the famous Benedict Arnold; this later seemed quite surprising, as the American Revolutionary War was still raging in 1780. However, at the time he was still seen as a hero of the United States, stemming from the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. His plans to betray the fort of West Point were uncovered on September 23 of that year—less than two weeks before Arnold was born. Either the news took longer than this to make its way upstate, or his parents were of Loyalist sympathy; the latter seems unlikely, however, as they seem to have remained in the area despite widespread emigration of loyalists to Canada, and to have remained quite wealthy.

Despite this unpromising start, Arnold prospered; he attended the local schools, and became a successful merchant. He owned large stretches of land, and was able to dedicate much time to philanthropy.

As was common at the time for local magnates, he entered politics for a short period; in 1816 and 1817 he served as a member of the New York State Assembly. Later, in 1828, he was elected to the Twenty-first United States Congress; he did not seek re-election after his two-year term elapsed. He later became president of the village board of trustees, and retired from his business pursuits, remaining in rural New York until his death.