Portal:Rhode Island/Selected article/24

Benedict Arnold (1615 – 1678) was president and then governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving for a total of 11 years in these roles. He learned the Indian languages at an early age and became one of the two leading interpreters in the Rhode Island colony, Roger Williams being the other. In 1651, he began his public service which lasted continuously until his death. He became a Commissioner and Assistant, and succeeded Roger Williams as President of the colony in 1657, serving for three years. In 1662, he was once again elected President; the Royal Charter of 1663 was delivered from England during the second year of this term, naming him as the first governor of the colony. Arnold was a bold and decisive leader; he was elected for two additional terms as governor, the last time following the devastation of King Philip's War. He died on 19 June 1678 while still in office and was buried in the Arnold Burying Ground, located on Pelham Street in Newport. In his will, he left his "stone built wind mill" to his wife, which still stands as an important Newport landmark. His many descendants include General Benedict Arnold, best known for his treason during the American Revolutionary War, and Senator Stephen Arnold Douglas, who debated Abraham Lincoln in 1858 and lost to him during the 1860 presidential election.