Dr. Stephen Brumwell to Present a Provocative Interpretation of Benedict Arnold’s Journey from Hero to Traitor, Jan. 30

Part of Museum’s Popular “Read the Revolution” Speaker Series

Author and historian Dr. Stephen Brumwell will trace Benedict Arnold’s journey from a once-ardent hero of the Revolutionary cause to its most dishonored traitor at the Museum of the American Revolution on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 6 p.m., based on his most recent book Turncoat: Benedict Arnold and the Crisis of American Liberty (Yale University Press, May 2018). The event is part of the Museum’s popular Read the Revolution speaker series. 

In Turncoat, Brumwell deploys previously neglected archival sources to re-examine the motivations of Benedict Arnold, America’s most notorious traitor, and reconstructs his plot to betray West Point to the British. Brumwell’s research leads to an unexpected conclusion: Arnold’s mystifying betrayal was driven by a staunch conviction that America’s best interests would be served by halting the bloodshed and reuniting the fractured British Empire.

“Brumwell is a captivating storyteller ... this is a splendid, intelligent, articulate book that casual readers and Arnold scholars alike will enjoy.” – Journal of the American Revolution   

The discussion will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience. At 7 p.m., Brumwell will be available to sign copies of his books, available for purchase. Tickets are $15 for Museum members, $20 for non-members, and $10 for students (does not include Museum admission). For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. This event will be livestreamed on the Museum’s website, www.amrevmuseum.org/live.

Dr. Stephen Brumwell is a writer and independent historian specializing in British-American military affairs of the 18th century. He received the George Washington Book Prize for his 2013 book George Washington: Gentleman Warrior, which takes a fresh look at the dramatic and checkered military career of one of history's most pivotal figures. His first single-authored book, Redcoats: the British Soldier and War in the Americas, 1755-63, was widely praised as a groundbreaking work. This was followed by White Devil, which explored the truth behind the legendary exploits of the New England ranger Robert Rogers during the bloody French and Indian War of the 1750s. His next book project was a biography, Paths of Glory: The Life and Death of General James Wolfe, which challenged prevailing views of its subject and won both the Charles P. Stacey Prize for Canadian Military History and the Distinguished Book Award of the Society of Colonial Wars of New York. Brumwell lives in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The Museum’s Read the Revolution Speaker Series brings celebrated authors and historians to the Museum for lively discussions of their work. The series is based on the Museum’s national Read the Revolution bi-monthly e-newsletter, which has more than 50,000 subscribers and features excerpts from thought-provoking books to inspire learning about the American Revolution.

Read the Revolution is sponsored by Haverford Quality Investing. The next event in this year’s series will feature Dr. Vincent Brown, Harvard University’s Charles Warren Professor of American History and Professor of African and American Studies, discussing his new book Tacky’s Revolt: The Story of an Atlantic Slave War (Belknap Press, January 2020) on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m.

About Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.