Andre

Andre [Andre's] proper n

Fr. form of Eng. 'Andrew' < Gk 'manly', 'strong', 'courageous', 'warrior'.

1. Major John Andre (1750-1780); English officer who conspired with Benedict Arnold for the surrender of West Point; captured and executed when he unwittingly revealed his identity to Revolutionary Army soldiers; Johnson ed. of ED's poems says: “Major John Andre's request that he be allowed a soldier's death by shooting was denied by Washington, and he was hanged as a spy”; (see ED letters).