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George Washington's Spies in New York: The Culper Ring and the American Revolution with Benjamin Rubin

George Washington's Spies in New York: The Culper Ring and the American Revolution with Benjamin Rubin


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For seven of the eight years of the American Revolution, New York was an occupied city, and the main British base of operations in North America. But not all the city's residents supported the Crown. 

Gathering intelligence about enemy plans and operations became a principal goal of the Continental Army, and to achieve this aim, they organized one of the most sophisticated military-civilian spy networks the world had seen to that point: what became known as the Culper Ring. Under the direction of Benjamin Tallmadge and his civilian accomplices, the network was able to smuggle key intelligence out of the city through Long Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey, and ultimately played a key role in the eventual American victory. 

Led by an expert on The American Revolution, Benjamin Rubin, this Conversation will explore the development, operations, and impact of the Culper Ring from its inception through the end of the world. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased appreciation for the intelligence and counter-intelligence war behind the lines in Revolutionary New York.

Ben Rubin is a public historian specializing in the American Revolution and Early America. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he holds a Bachelor's Degree in History and Political Science from Hanover College, a Master's in American History from Western Carolina University, and is a Ph.D. candidate in History and Culture at Drew University, as well a graduate of the School of Criticism and Theory at Cornell University. Ben taught history and writing at Bloomfield College for five years before leaving academia to start his own music education business, JC Instrumental. He continues to work in public history with Context Travel, leading both in-person walking tours and virtual conversations on early American history, and at Southern Campaigns of the American Revolution, where he has been a fellow since 2007. His work has been published in both academic and public history journals, and you can hear him most recently as a featured guest on the History Happy Hour podcast. He currently lives in Jersey City, New Jersey with his wife Dana, daughter Sylvie, and dog Oslo, and spends his free time playing music, rock climbing, playing board games, and following Cincinnati Reds baseball.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

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