It would have been remiss of mr Irving to omit such a landmark event from his story, as it is such a pillar of lore in the community. John andre was born in london in 1750 to french protestant (huguenot) parents His father was a merchant, born in geneva, switzerland His mother was born in france and moved to england when she was young He attended school in geneva, returning to london in 1767, two years before his father died.
Major john andré was a british officer during the american revolution who negotiated the capture of west point with american turncoat benedict arnold André's capture exposed the plot and led to andré's own execution on 2 october 1780. Major john andré was convicted of spying in 1780 He worked as a messenger between british general henry clinton and american general benedict arnold Arnold negotiated with clinton to turn west point, a key military installation, over to the british During the revolutionary war, british officer major john andré plotted with general benedict arnold, the notorious american traitor, to betray the american fortress at west point.
A favorite of british general sir henry clinton, the handsome young major was also popular with philadelphia high society; intelligent and witty, andré was noted for the elaborate entertainments he wrote and designed for parties.
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