You're listening to an Airwave Media podcast.

Hello, and welcome to Ben Franklin's World Revisited,

a series of classic episodes that bring fresh perspective to our latest episodes

and had deeper connections to our understanding

of early American history. And I'm your host, Liz Covart. Scandal, betrayal, and attempted murder.

These aren't just the makings of a modern-day crime thriller. They're at the heart of a shocking

case from Colonial Newport, Rhode Island, in 1738. In 1738, Benedict Arnold filed for divorce

from his wife Mary Arnold, who he accused of infidelity and attempted murder. Now, this case made

its way before the Rhode Island General Assembly, which is how the details of the inner workings

of the Arnold's marriage, as well as Mary's adultery, theft, and attempted murder came to light before

the people of Rhode Island and were inscribed into our historical record. As we celebrate Women's

History Month, Mary Arnold's case reminds us that the early American lives of women were shaped not only

by the personal choices they made, but also by the legal, social, and cultural forces all around them.

Elaine Foreman Crane, a distinguished professor of history at Fordham University, takes us deep

inside the poison plot, unraveling a tale of love, deception, and justice, and a world where

women's voices were often unheard. Now, as we revisit episode 225, Elaine reveals what we know about Benedict and

Mary Ward Arnold and the circumstances of their marriage. Why and how Mary Arnold may have

attempted to poison Benedict Arnold and what the story of Mary and Benedict Arnold reveals to us

about early American history.

Okay, are you ready to revisit with Elaine Forman Crane?

Allow me to reintroduce you to her.

Okay. Our guest is a distinguished professor of history at Fordham University.

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