At an elite, old-fashioned boarding school in New England, a passionate English teacher inspires his students to rebel against convention and seize the potential of every day, courting the disdain of the stern headmaster.

Beset by economic unrest, threatened from within by Indian nations and from without by overseas powers, the young country reeled in turmoil. But the gallant general who had commanded the Continental army in battle also agreed to guide the fledgling country - and his sure hand steadied the course.

At an elite, old-fashioned boarding school in New England, a passionate English teacher inspires his students to rebel against convention and seize the potential of every day, courting the disdain of the stern headmaster.