Nathan Hale was born on June 6, 1775. Nathan Hale was the son of a prosperous farmer. In 1769, after studying under a village pastor, Hale entered Yale College. In 1775, Hale was commissioned a lieutenant. When Hale offered to go as a spy to the British troops, he disguised himself as a teacher, carrying his Yale diploma. Hale gathered much information and prepared to return to American troops. On the night of September 21, 1776, Hale was captured by the British when attempting to return to American lines. He was carrying all the information he had collected during his stay with the British. When he saw the maps and information on Hale, General Howe ordered for him to be hanged. After saying the famous last words of "I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," Nathan Hale was hanged. Nathan Hale is famous for those last word, which are thought to have come from Joseph Addison's "Cato," a play which he learned while in college.