Major John Andre

Major John André was a British intelligence officer whose life became intertwined with one of America's most infamous acts of betrayal. Known for his charm, wit and refinement, he became the British spy chief in New York during the American Revolution. André's downfall came when he became involved in the plot to surrender West Point, a crucial American fort, to the British. The plot was masterminded by American traitor Benedict Arnold, but André’s capture, while trying to return to British lines, led to his arrest and eventual execution by hanging. His death at the age of 31 marked the end of a promising career and cemented him as both a symbol of British perseverance and the tragic consequences of war. André’s story remains one of the most poignant in the American Revolution—a tale of loyalty, espionage, and fate.