Treacherous Beauty: Peggy Shippen, The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold's Plot To Betray America

by Mark Jacob, Stephen H. Case

Histories of the Revolutionary War have long honored heroines such as Betsy Ross, Abigail Adams, and Molly Pitcher. Now, more than two centuries later, comes the first biography of one of the war's most remarkable women, a beautiful Philadelphia society girl named Peggy Shippen. While war was raging between England and its rebellious colonists, Peggy befriended a suave British officer and then married a crippled revolutionary general twice her age. She brought the two men together in a treasonous plot that nearly turned George Washington into a prisoner and changed the course of the war. Peggy Shippen was Mrs. Benedict Arnold.

After the conspiracy was exposed, Peggy managed to convince powerful men like Washington and Alexander Hamilton of her innocence. The Founding Fathers were handicapped by the common view that women lacked the sophistication for politics or warfare, much less treason. And Peggy took full advantage.

Peggy was to the American Revolution what the fictional Scarlett O'Hara was to the Civil War: a woman whose survival skills trumped all other values. Had she been a man, she might have been arrested, tried, and executed. And she might have become famous. Instead, her role was minimized and she was allowed to recede into the background - with a generous British pension in hand.

In Treacherous Beauty, Mark Jacob and Stephen H. Case tell the true story of Peggy Shippen, a driving force in a conspiracy that came within an eyelash of dooming the American democracy.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, American Revolution, Historical, American Revolutionary War

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Author of books on photography, baseball, Chicago history, and the American Revolution. Longtime Chicago journalist is deputy metro editor at the Chicago Tribune, where he is co-author of the popular feature "10 Things You Might Not Know."

Reviews

[David Eppenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an important addition to my personal study of the life of Benedict Arnold. The book clearly lays to rest any notion that Peggy Shippen Arnold was an innocent bystander to her husband's treason. This book makes a serious case that Arnold's treason my well have been Peggy's idea all along. The book, unlike other Arnold biographies I have read, paints a much more detailed portrait of the greed and avarice of Arnold. However, this aspect of Arnold's life doesn't really become apparent until his tenure in Philadelphia. By this point in his Revolutionary career Arnold has been so ill treated by Congress, jealous fellow officers, and self-dealing politicians and opportunists that he can be understood to have abandoned his patriotic zeal in favor of self interest. Of all the personalities involved in our Revolution none, including Washington's, has intrigued me more that that of Benedict Arnold and now, additionally, his wife Peggy. The lessons to be gleaned from these lives are numerous and carry considerable current application. I still believe that Arnold's treason was the result of harsh treatment from the leaders of the cause he sacrificed much to advance. Had he been treated with reasonable fairness one wonders how he might now be remembered in history. Unfortunately, what Arnold never grasped was life's unfairness and how no good deed goes unpunished. He is truly our American tragic hero.

[Phil]

I may be prejudiced - Mark Jacob is my nephew! Interesting read; lots of references to Philadelphia and environs. Show how gullible men are when confronted by a good looking woman.

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy, Peggy, Peggy! You certainly hitched your wagon to a treasonous star! It was obvious to me what an ambitious, self-centered, back stabbing snake in the grass he was. However it was not to Peggy. The authors presented the case that maybe, just maybe she was the one who encouraged Arnold to deflect from the Continentals. Maybe she did or maybe she didn't but I'm of the opinion that Arnold came up with that one all his money-grubbing self.

To this end the story presented the sad and tortured life Peggy had to endure as Arnold basically deserted her when the going got tough (though maybe they planned it that way - we'll never know) but all the other important instances in Peggy's life were faced alone as Arnold was always off on one failed scheme or other.

Despite this the story shows just how resourceful and strong Peggy was throughout her marriage to Arnold. One cannot fault her for her poor judgement in choosing a terrible partner.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating examination of the conspiracy that almost halted the American Revolution in its tracks. I was pleasantly surprised to find a book about the wife of Benedict Arnold and quickly checked it out of the library. It's an excellent look at Arnold's infamous betrayal and shows that, far from being an innocent victim (as she was seen at the time), Peggy Shippen Arnold was in fact fully involved in her husband's attempt to change sides and hand West Point over to the British.

The story gets a bit dry in some of the earlier chapters, which led me to start skimming until I finally started to approach the time of the conspiracy and Arnold's betrayal. Other than that, however, it's an excellent read.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book. Like Washington’s Spies, it doesn’t hurt to have seen the TV series Turn before reading this. The story of Peggy Shippen, the a teenaged Philadelphia socialite in sometimes occupied Philadelphia who was friend with British Officer John Andre and married American General Benedict Arnold, who was almost twice her age. Unlike the show, she appeared to just be friends with Andre, and loved Arnold. However, she does appear to have either been the impetus, or a very willing participant, in Arnolds decision to defect, and carried out correspondence with Andre to that effect.
The actress in the show portrays Peggy very much as she might have been, and has a physical resemblance to Peggy, who was considered a great beauty who found admirers everywhere, as well. The actor playing Arnold seems to nail his character as well, being brave, thin skinned, always in need of money, and having a talent for making enemies, although he is much taller than Arnold was. The character of Andre in the show is taller, more self assured, and more reserved than the actual Andre. He is also portrayed as a master of spycraft. The real Andre was indeed an artist, and started a theater company of British officers in Philadelphia, as he does in the show. In fact, he painted the back drop that was used in the theater until well into the 1800s when the theater burned. However, he was younger, very charming and politically adept, and got ahead because he was highly competent, but also because men and women both instantly liked him. He got put in charge of spycraft as an afterhought because he was so good at everything and the General liked him. From the evidence though, he was not good enough at it.
This is a really interesting, well researched and written book. If you are interested in this period of history it is well worth a read. You will learn a lot about Benedict Arnold that you did not know, as well as many of the patriots fighting for independence.

[Brady Postma · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the best telling of Shippen's life story that could be told consistent with the facts.

The facts of her life are a bit disappointing themselves. Her greatest influence on history -- that of her espionage on behalf of the British, her marriage to Benedict Arnold, her role in his betrayal, and her assistance in their escape from justice once his betrayal became known -- is infuriatingly ambiguous and vague. Much information was lost when her friends all burned their correspondence with her in order to protect her -- and themselves -- from implication for espionage, and much information was never recorded for posterity because of the secretive nature of spies and spying.

Even this Bonnie & Clyde romance of rogues narrative, compelling in its antiheroism, instantly breaks down after they escape Revolutionary justice as that bastard bigamist Benedict quickly cheats on her and raises a second family in Canada! The rest of her life then degrades into the relentlessly practical, and a long, sorry slog of financial troubles and decaying social status where children and grandchildren are her primary joy.

I found myself wishing for better outcomes for her. This is the woman who, at age 20, half-naked and suckling a newborn, still put on such a showstopping performance of madness and betrayal that she convinced some of the finest minds of the Revolution (including George Washington and Alexander Hamilton) against all evidence that she was innocent of any espionage and deserving of nothing but mercy. This brilliant feminine mind that used men's own chauvinist prejudices against them to fool them all! What a feminist icon she might have been!

If only the historical record was more complete.

[TJL · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book does something a lot of historical nonfiction books do when chronicling a lesser known/documented historical figure:

It carefully pads out the book with information that ultimately had little to do with Peggy Shippen. Facts that could be conveyed in a paragraph are dragged out over two or three pages, because the author(s) don’t want you to notice that they don’t actually have THAT much concrete information on their subject.

Mentions to Peggy are shoehorned into places where she doesn’t appear, just so you remember that the book is supposed to be about her.

There’s so much fluff in this book to give the illusion that Peggy’s life and involvement in the plot is so well-documented that it’s worthy of 200+ pages of a book, and it just isn’t. Switch a few chapters around and this book could just as easily be marketed as a general book about Benedict Arnold’s betrayal, but with a slightly stronger focus on his wife’s involvement.

[Bea Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an undergraduate history student with a concentration in American History, I have read plenty of revolutionary biographies, but none that made me emphasize so deeply with the subject of the book. Peggy Shippen Arnold was one of the most interesting women of her era, and this book certainly does her justice. Although by my count, there were a handful of inaccuracies or perhaps differentiation of opinions, I still found it both informative and entertaining. I must also note the footnotes are helpful for further research, although not quite to the standard of clarity I tend to expect from such historiographical accounts.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read about not only Peggy Shipped, but her family and other people surrounding Benedict Arnold. I do think that the title is a bit misleading. The biographical portrait painted of Peggy Shippen in this book is not of a vain, scheming woman, but of a socially intelligent and prudent business woman.

It was particularly interesting to read about the Revolutionary War from a more colonial civilian perspective. This must have felt much more like a confusing civil war then a war for independence with neither the Loyalist or Patriot side being composed of the most virtuous characters.

[P.Wiltse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too bad no one's ever written a good biography about Peggy Shippen. I still can't believe this is being sold in the Museum of the American Revolution's gift shop. It's lightweight and I can think of at least one example off the top of my head where the authors misinterpret the original sources that they're reading.

I'm not actually sure this deserves the second star or if I'm just attempting to be overly fair because one of the Amazon reviews lives in my mind rent-free because the reviewer somehow managed to bisexual erasure a straight man, for which I feel you should get some kind of award. Not a good award, but an award all the same.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of Benedict Arnold's wife. She was from a prominent Philadelphia family with mixed loyalties to the Revolution. Soon after their marriage Benedict Arnold began his feelers to the British, offering his services as a spy. How involved was Peggy? The authors suggest that she supported him, and may have been the instigator. He escaped to British New York, and she was exiled there by a Pennsylvania court. The authors believe that if a man had done what she did, he would have been hung.

[Mandy Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great bio of Peggy Shippen Arnold. Unfortunately, like most women however she is framed by the men in her life. You’ll read more of Benedict Arnold and all his travails and John André than you will Peggy. The author isn’t entirely to blame, nothing of her writing remains prior to the treason plot. Historians assume the family burnt all her writings to protect her. Still manages to give a fair portrait of her in a very reader friendly manner. Interesting, not at all text bookish.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a very woman from a prominent family in Philadelphia during the American Revolution. She married Benedict Arnold who was a turncoat in the war. Peggy has her part to play in this plot which was largely centered around greed.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

As history goes this one was interesting. Would have liked it in historical fiction firm more.

[Brenda Conbeer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed book immensely. Peggy Shippen was fascinating

[Margie Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography

Treacherous Beauty is well researched and well written. My only complaint is that Peggy’s husband, Benedict Arnold, was focused on more than Peggy herself.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Shippen descendent it was a delight to read this research. Many thanks to the authors who painted a more full portrait of a woman of history!

[Jonesy952 · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little fanciful. Claims that Arnold’s girlfriend was partially responsible for his traitorous acts

[JK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been intrigued with Peggy Shippen Arnold ever since elementary school when I read "Peggy" by Lois Duncan. I also read "Washington" by Ron Chernow where she gets a brief mention for distracting Washington from catching Benedict Arnold.

I thought this book was very well written... there is not a lot of information about Peggy Shippen available. Her family burned all her correspondence, which can provide a wealth of information. I think the author's did a good job filling in with information of the day, what Philadelphia was like before and during the Revolution; they included good information on Benedict Arnold and Major John Andre as well.

I highly recommend this book... it's a good insight into someone history has mainly made a footnote, but was hugely influential on a very important era in American History.

[Anna Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher upon my request.]

When most people consider the role that women played in the American Revolution, they probably turn right to women like Abigail Adams or Molly Pitcher, who both supported the revolution in their own ways. But what about the women who did not support the revolution or who even worked against it?

Treacherous Beauty: Peggy Shippen, the Woman Behind Benedict Arnold's Plot to Betray America by Stephen H. Case and Mark Jacob is the first modern popular biography of this enigmatic and often ignored figure in American history--Peggy Shippen, the wife of the infamous Benedict Arnold. Peggy, born Margaret, was born into the world of Philadelphia's high society. Not much is known about her early childhood, although Case and Jacob suggest that she received an above-average education for her sex and learned much about finances through her father and mother. She came of age during the American Revolution in British-occupied Philadelphia and developed a strong social reputation. She was considered to be one of the most beautiful women in the city and frequently attended balls and other social gatherings with others of her rank--and British soldiers, including one John André, who would later play an important role in the "Benedict Arnold plot."

Peggy was considered to be beautiful, loving and sweet, but she was not Benedict Arnold's first choice for a new wife. Case and Jacob point out that many of the lines Benedict used in his courting letter to Peggy were, in fact, recycled from letters he had written to a previous potential wife. However, the two were eventually married and what soon followed is the subject of much debate and controversy, even today. How much of a role did Peggy Shippen play in Benedict Arnold's decision to become a spy for Britain? Did she know about his betrayal?

Although the title of the book labels Peggy to be the woman "behind" the plot, I don't think that the authors, if it was their attention to paint her as the mastermind, successfully provided enough evidence to suggest that Peggy was in fact behind the betrayal. Unfortunately, much of Peggy's correspondence was destroyed or burned in the wake of the plot, perhaps to save her reputation. In the past, Peggy's involvement in the plot to has been downplayed at best and completely ignored at worst--"the poor innocent wife of Benedict Arnold," as she was called after news of his betrayal broke out. And although they do not provide a strong case for Peggy being the woman "behind" the plot, Case and Jacob provide ample information which not only indicates she knew about Benedict Arnold's betrayal--but that she helped him as well.

The plot to betray America is, understandably, the real meat of the book. Because there are gaps in the recorded history of Peggy's life, some of the narrative focuses much more on the actions of Arnold--whom Peggy often followed--and John André, who left behind a more tangible historical trail than Peggy Shippen. However, Case and Jacob have made excellent use of the resources they had to create an interesting and rounded narrative of Peggy's life--from her birth in pre-revolutionary American to the betrayal of the revolution and to her last years in England, where she spent most of her time dealing with poor state of her family's finances and securing a future for her children.

I recommend Treacherous Beauty: Peggy Shippen, the Woman Behind Benedict Arnold's Plot to Betray America by Stephen H. Case and Mark Jacob to readers who are interested in the American Revolution, 18th century, or women's studies in the 18th century.

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall, I found this biography to be disappointing. The authors' sole point was to conclude that Peggy Shippen, wife of Benedict Arnold, was a key figure in his treason plot. Once they made the point, there wasn't much for them to do aside from repeat it and repeat the same evidence from letters over and over. All we really learn about Peggy is that she was a Philadelphia belle, pretty and lively and admired by British spy John Andre, and that, as a wife, she proved to have a good head for figures and household management. When Arnold's treachery was uncovered, she either went temporarily mad or feigned madness in order to escape detection of her role in the plot. Eventually, she was given a choice: go back to your father's house in Philadelphia, or join Arnold in the British enclave in New York; she chose the latter. (Arnold came across as particularly despicable in this account, not only plotting to betray the patriots and possibly set up the capture of Washington, but constantly plaguing the British with demands for more cash in return for his efforts, even years after the war for independence ended.) The couple and their children moved to London, but Arnold, forever the speculator, moved them to Canada in hopes of cashing in on a land scheme. It didn't work, and they headed back to London, where Peggy lived until her death.

Only about 60% of the book is composed of actual biography; the rest is a long list of acknowledgements, an even longer bibliography, and a long index. The whole thing could easily have been covered in a monograph, if not a 30-40 page article

[Tiffany Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea behind this book is interesting: the story of the traitor Arnold's wife and possible partner in crime. It's biggest problem is the absolute lack of source material to make a case for any of it. We learn a great deal about her paternal ancestral line, about Arnold, about Andre, about various other military leaders - both rebels and redcoats... but there's not much about Peggy except speculation - and even much of that is contradictory. The contradictions of the authors are weaved throughout, who clearly do not come from historical academia. For example, great efforts are made to establish the Shippens were not Tories but neutral survivors of the times -- yet, later she is referred to unabashedly as a Loyalist that was embroiled in the plot. Nevertheless, it's an interesting enough read for those interested in the treasonous acts, the war itself, and life in Philadelphia. In regards to the treason, if anything, they lay out a clear foundation for both the General's and his wife's love of money. To my mind, this seems a far greater factor in the events than many other authors have brought out. Overall, 3.5 - 4 stars -- disappointing, but still full of enough to leave me glad I read it

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this attempts to be a biography of Peggy Shippen, Benedict Arnold's wife and perhaps co-conspirator in his treasonous plan to hand West Point over to the British during the Revolutionary War, it becomes more than that. There isn't enough source material to know that much about Peggy, although the author does a good job painting of picture of her with what is known. But the bonus is you get a clearer picture of Benedict Arnold, his motives for changing sides and his personality. In addition, the other vital character to this story is British Major John Andre. I knew about Andre's fate during the war, but after reading this, I think he must be one of the most tragic figures from that time.
For all those that currently paint the Revolutionary War as some romantic quest for freedom and our founding fathers as some sort of saints, the truth of the matter is it was a time of struggle, deprivation, murder and desperation. It was a war.
This was a fascinating read that has now stoked my interest in reading more about that time period.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every one has their bias. One person's heroine is another's traitor. A loyal subject or a turncoat depends on where one stands (or sits). When one looks at the life of a woman one must take into account the laws and mores of the times. When dealing with something like the "Revolutionary Era" person vendettas can be the underlying factor between characters actions. In essence, personal relationships cause people to act as they did. In the first half of this book much space is given to the male actors and the political climate leading up to Benedict Arnold's attempt to provide the British with intelligence that would allow their capture of West Point. What one garners from this book is Peggy Shippen was an intelligent woman who did what she could to keep her family afloat in difficult times.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow; another great read about the characters appearing on "Turn".

Peggy Shippen was the wife of one of our country's greatest villains, Benedict Arnold. I'd never heard of her before, or really given any thought to whether or not Arnold had a wife or what she may have been like. Big mistake. Peggy is a fascinating woman. Like the author, I'm convinced that Peggy played a significant role in her husband's defection to the Loyalists and then minimized her involvement by behaving as a typical woman of the times; weak and unable to engage in intrigue or plots. Through in a bout of "madness" and you've got a woman who is deemed innocent by the men around her; men who included George Washington. I'm convinced she's a genius, as well as a traitor.

[Tom Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very informative, Peggy Arnold is one subject that you do not find very much information on and this author brings her to life. There is no doubt in my mind that Peggy Arnold play a large part in Benedict's decision to betray his country. But also he had been very discontented with his role and his feeling of being unappreciated, and of course his ego and greed for money helped him to make his decision. So it would not have taken much prodding to get him to switch sides. I highly recommend this book to any who loves history and want to dive a little deeper into American history. Definitely will be adding this book to my home library.

[Bea Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an undergraduate history student with a concentration in American History, I have read plenty of revolutionary biographies, but none that made me emphasize so deeply with the subject of the book. Peggy Shippen Arnold was one of the most interesting women of her era, and this book certainly does her justice. Although by my count, there were a handful of inaccuracies or perhaps differentiation of opinions, I still found it both informative and entertaining. I must also note the footnotes are helpful for further research, although not quite to the standard of clarity I tend to expect from such historiographical accounts.

[Stephan Benzkofer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very entertaining biography of Peggy Shippen, the wife of Benedict Arnold, explores what remains to this day as the most famous act of treachery in U.S. history and answers the question: Was his wife in on it? It also offers great insight into life in the colonies during the war, especially the often tense relations between colonists of all political stripes. FULL DISCLOSURE: Mark Jacob is a good friend, co-worker and co-author of "10 Things You Might Not Know About Nearly Everything." That said, if I'm wrong about "Treacherous Beauty," let me know!

[Joan Lunoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. In spite of the fact that she helped her husband Benedict Arnold in his plot to take West Point in order to help the British to victory in the Revolutionary War, she's someone I would have liked to have known. She was smart and clever, great with finances, a wonderful mother who kept her family (her own kids and step kids) together and happy in spite of gambling ways of her greedy and unfaithful husband, Benedict. You also learn a lot about Benedict Arnold and why he became a traitor to the cause - much of which I never knew before. A great read.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very straight forward, without being too dry. I found it an easy and interesting read. The authors use facts and information from the time to show how Peggy Shippen may have had a larger role in Benedict Arnold's betrayal. While very interesting, I did find it a little distracting when the authors would give a mini-biography on another person relevant to Peggy Shippen and/or U.S. history.