Benedict Arnold's crypt now part of kindergarten classroom

Benedict Arnold, one of the most controversial figures of the American Revolutionary War, ended his life far removed from the country where he had once earned the trust of General George Washington.Arnold had already experienced considerable hardship before joining the Continental Army. A businessman before his military career, he lost his shipping business during the Revolutionary War and was wounded in combat twice. Yet his military achievements eventually saw him rise to the rank of major general and become a trusted officer under Washington.His final resting place, however, is an unusual one. Arnold was buried in the crypt of St. Mary’s Church in Battersea, England, in 1801. Today, that crypt forms part of the church's basement and is used by a private kindergarten program.From Washington’s trusted officer to British allyArnold's fortunes appeared to improve after British forces withdrew from Philadelphia.