Final answer:
The most famous recreant in history is Major Benedict Arnold, known for defecting from the American Continental Army to the British Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks who is one of the most famous recreants in history. Recreant refers to someone who is unfaithful to a cause, belief, or duty; essentially a traitor. The main answer to this question is Major Benedict Arnold. Benedict Arnold was a general during the American Revolutionary War who originally fought for the American Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. His name has since become synonymous with treason or betrayal in American history. In contrast, the other options given—George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson—are all celebrated for their integrity and monumental roles in shaping the United States. Arnold's act of betrayal remains one of the most notorious examples of treachery in American history.