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Benjamin Franklin

Episodes & Viewing Guide

Join or Die

(1706-1774)

After building a printing empire in Philadelphia with his wife Deborah, Benjamin Franklin gains worldwide fame from electricity experiments, then spends years in London trying to keep Britain and America together as his family comes apart.

An American

(1775-1790)

In wartime Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin helps Thomas Jefferson craft the Declaration of Independence. In Paris, he wins French support for the American Revolution. Back home, he works on the Constitution of the new United States.

Videos

Tejonihokarawa, leader and diplomat from the Mohawk Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy). Painting by John Verelst, 1710. Photo: Library and Archives Canada
Tejonihokarawa, leader and diplomat from the Mohawk Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy). Painting by John Verelst, 1710. Photo: Library and Archives Canada
Tejonihokarawa, leader and diplomat from the Mohawk Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois Confederacy). Painting by John Verelst, 1710. Photo: Library and Archives Canada
Portrait believed to be of Benjamin Franklin's mother, Abiah Folger Franklin, from 1707. Painting by Gerrit Duyckinck. Photo: Melissa Williams Fine Art / Deanna Dikeman
Portrait believed to be of Benjamin Franklin's mother, Abiah Folger Franklin, from 1707. Painting by Gerrit Duyckinck. Photo: Melissa Williams Fine Art / Deanna Dikeman
Portrait believed to be of Benjamin Franklin's mother, Abiah Folger Franklin, from 1707. Painting by Gerrit Duyckinck. Photo: Melissa Williams Fine Art / Deanna Dikeman
Young Franklin at the Press. Painting by Enoch Wood Perry, 1876. Photo: Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York
Young Franklin at the Press. Painting by Enoch Wood Perry, 1876. Photo: Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York
Young Franklin at the Press. Painting by Enoch Wood Perry, 1876. Photo: Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York
The bustling harbor of Philadelphia, 1718. Photo: The Library Company of Philadelphia
The bustling harbor of Philadelphia, 1718. Photo: The Library Company of Philadelphia
The bustling harbor of Philadelphia, 1718. Photo: The Library Company of Philadelphia
The first issue of Poor Richard's Almanack, published in late 1732. Photo: The Rosenbach, Philadelphia
The first issue of Poor Richard's Almanack, published in late 1732. Photo: The Rosenbach, Philadelphia
The first issue of Poor Richard's Almanack, published in late 1732. Photo: The Rosenbach, Philadelphia
Memorial portrait of Franklin's younger son Francis Folger Franklin, lovingly called "Franky." Painted c. 1736. Photo: Peter Molin
Memorial portrait of Franklin's younger son Francis Folger Franklin, lovingly called "Franky." Painted c. 1736. Photo: Peter Molin
Memorial portrait of Franklin's younger son Francis Folger Franklin, lovingly called "Franky." Painted c. 1736. Photo: Peter Molin
Franklin's Bookshop in Philadelphia, 1745. Painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, ca. 1910. Photo: Collection of Elizabeth Ryder
Franklin's Bookshop in Philadelphia, 1745. Painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, ca. 1910. Photo: Collection of Elizabeth Ryder
Franklin's Bookshop in Philadelphia, 1745. Painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, ca. 1910. Photo: Collection of Elizabeth Ryder
Some of Benjamin Franklin's drawings from his Experiments and Observations on Electricity, 1751. Photo: John Carter Brown Library
Some of Benjamin Franklin's drawings from his Experiments and Observations on Electricity, 1751. Photo: John Carter Brown Library
Some of Benjamin Franklin's drawings from his Experiments and Observations on Electricity, 1751. Photo: John Carter Brown Library
Thunderstorm in Philadelphia, c.1760. Photo: The Library Company of Philadelphia
Thunderstorm in Philadelphia, c.1760. Photo: The Library Company of Philadelphia
Thunderstorm in Philadelphia, c.1760. Photo: The Library Company of Philadelphia
Anti-Stamp Act newspaper using Benjamin Franklin's "Join or Die" snake cartoon, September 21, 1765. Photo: The New York Public Library
Anti-Stamp Act newspaper using Benjamin Franklin's "Join or Die" snake cartoon, September 21, 1765. Photo: The New York Public Library
Anti-Stamp Act newspaper using Benjamin Franklin's "Join or Die" snake cartoon, September 21, 1765. Photo: The New York Public Library
Boston harbor c.1730. Photo: Library of Congress
Boston harbor c.1730. Photo: Library of Congress
Boston harbor c.1730. Photo: Library of Congress
The Bloody Massacre. Engraved by Paul Revere Jr. after Henry Pelham, 1770. Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
The Bloody Massacre. Engraved by Paul Revere Jr. after Henry Pelham, 1770. Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
The Bloody Massacre. Engraved by Paul Revere Jr. after Henry Pelham, 1770. Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm —The Oxbow. By Thomas Cole, 1836. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm —The Oxbow. By Thomas Cole, 1836. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm —The Oxbow. By Thomas Cole, 1836. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
A view of the town of Concord by Amos Doolittle, 1775. Photo: The New York Public Library
A view of the town of Concord by Amos Doolittle, 1775. Photo: The New York Public Library
A view of the town of Concord by Amos Doolittle, 1775. Photo: The New York Public Library
18th century view of London by Antonio Joli. St. Paul's Cathedral and Old London Bridge are visible through an archway imagined by the artist. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
18th century view of London by Antonio Joli. St. Paul's Cathedral and Old London Bridge are visible through an archway imagined by the artist. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
18th century view of London by Antonio Joli. St. Paul's Cathedral and Old London Bridge are visible through an archway imagined by the artist. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Ludgate Street and St Paul's Cathedral, London. Painting by William Marlow, 18th Century. Photo: Bank of England
Ludgate Street and St Paul's Cathedral, London. Painting by William Marlow, 18th Century. Photo: Bank of England
Ludgate Street and St Paul's Cathedral, London. Painting by William Marlow, 18th Century. Photo: Bank of England
Declaration of Independence mural by Barry Faulkner, 1936. Among those pictured are Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and John Hancock. Photo: Library of Congress
Declaration of Independence mural by Barry Faulkner, 1936. Among those pictured are Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and John Hancock. Photo: Library of Congress
Declaration of Independence mural by Barry Faulkner, 1936. Among those pictured are Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and John Hancock. Photo: Library of Congress
The Declaration of Independence. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration
The Declaration of Independence. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration
The Declaration of Independence. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, 1777.
 Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, 1777.
 Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, 1777.
 Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, October 16, 1777. By John Trumbull, c.1822-1832. Photo: Yale University Art Gallery
The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, October 16, 1777. By John Trumbull, c.1822-1832. Photo: Yale University Art Gallery
The Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, October 16, 1777. By John Trumbull, c.1822-1832. Photo: Yale University Art Gallery
A View of Paris from the Pont Neuf bridge. By Jean-Baptiste Raguenet, 1763. Photo: J. Paul Getty Museum's Open Content Program
A View of Paris from the Pont Neuf bridge. By Jean-Baptiste Raguenet, 1763. Photo: J. Paul Getty Museum's Open Content Program
A View of Paris from the Pont Neuf bridge. By Jean-Baptiste Raguenet, 1763. Photo: J. Paul Getty Museum's Open Content Program
Signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and of Alliance between France and the United States. Mural by Charles Mills, ca. 1908. Photo: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and of Alliance between France and the United States. Mural by Charles Mills, ca. 1908. Photo: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and of Alliance between France and the United States. Mural by Charles Mills, ca. 1908. Photo: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Benjamin Franklin surrounded by members of the French court in 1778, during his time as Ambassador. Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI are on the right. Photo: Library of Congress
Benjamin Franklin surrounded by members of the French court in 1778, during his time as Ambassador. Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI are on the right. Photo: Library of Congress
Benjamin Franklin surrounded by members of the French court in 1778, during his time as Ambassador. Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI are on the right. Photo: Library of Congress
Benjamin Franklin in the studio of French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
Benjamin Franklin in the studio of French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
Benjamin Franklin in the studio of French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
To the Genius of Franklin (Au Génie de Franklin). Print by Marguerite Gérard after Jean-Honoré Fragonard, 1778. Photo: Davison Art Center, Wesleyan University
To the Genius of Franklin (Au Génie de Franklin). Print by Marguerite Gérard after Jean-Honoré Fragonard, 1778. Photo: Davison Art Center, Wesleyan University
To the Genius of Franklin (Au Génie de Franklin). Print by Marguerite Gérard after Jean-Honoré Fragonard, 1778. Photo: Davison Art Center, Wesleyan University
Benjamin Franklin portrait by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, 1778. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Benjamin Franklin portrait by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, 1778. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Benjamin Franklin portrait by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, 1778. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Negotiations with Great Britain. Left to right: John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. Painting by Benjamin West. Photo: In the collection of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Negotiations with Great Britain. Left to right: John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. Painting by Benjamin West. Photo: In the collection of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Negotiations with Great Britain. Left to right: John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens, and William Temple Franklin. Painting by Benjamin West. Photo: In the collection of Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
The Treaty of Paris, signed by Benjamin Franklin on September 3, 1783. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration
The Treaty of Paris, signed by Benjamin Franklin on September 3, 1783. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration
The Treaty of Paris, signed by Benjamin Franklin on September 3, 1783. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration
Benjamin Franklin portrait by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, c.1785 Photo: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Benjamin Franklin portrait by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, c.1785 Photo: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Benjamin Franklin portrait by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, c.1785 Photo: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Wilson, 1785. Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Wilson, 1785. Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Wilson, 1785. Photo: Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State
Franklin at Home in Philadelphia ca. 1787. Painting by Henry Bacon, ca. 1876. Photo: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Franklin at Home in Philadelphia ca. 1787. Painting by Henry Bacon, ca. 1876. Photo: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Franklin at Home in Philadelphia ca. 1787. Painting by Henry Bacon, ca. 1876. Photo: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
The United States Constitution. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration
The United States Constitution. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration
The United States Constitution. Photo: National Archives and Records Administration
Benjamin Franklin's daughter, Sarah "Sally" Franklin Bache. Portrait by John Hoppner, 1793. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Benjamin Franklin's daughter, Sarah "Sally" Franklin Bache. Portrait by John Hoppner, 1793. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Benjamin Franklin's daughter, Sarah "Sally" Franklin Bache. Portrait by John Hoppner, 1793. Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
New Lutheran Church in Fourth Street, Philadelphia. Drawn & Engraved by William Birch & son, 1799. Photo: John Carter Brown Library
New Lutheran Church in Fourth Street, Philadelphia. Drawn & Engraved by William Birch & son, 1799. Photo: John Carter Brown Library
New Lutheran Church in Fourth Street, Philadelphia. Drawn & Engraved by William Birch & son, 1799. Photo: John Carter Brown Library
A shipyard in Philadelphia. Engraving by William Birch & son, 1800. Photo: The John Carter Brown Library
A shipyard in Philadelphia. Engraving by William Birch & son, 1800. Photo: The John Carter Brown Library
A shipyard in Philadelphia. Engraving by William Birch & son, 1800. Photo: The John Carter Brown Library
Christ Church in Philadelphia. 1800 print by William Birch. Photo: The Library Company of Philadelphia
Christ Church in Philadelphia. 1800 print by William Birch. Photo: The Library Company of Philadelphia
Christ Church in Philadelphia. 1800 print by William Birch. Photo: The Library Company of Philadelphia
Arch Street Ferry, Philadelphia. Print by William Russell Birch, 1800. Photo: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Arch Street Ferry, Philadelphia. Print by William Russell Birch, 1800. Photo: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Arch Street Ferry, Philadelphia. Print by William Russell Birch, 1800. Photo: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
Benjamin Franklin. Etching by Henri Lefort after Duplessis, 1898. Photo: Library of Congress
Benjamin Franklin. Etching by Henri Lefort after Duplessis, 1898. Photo: Library of Congress
Benjamin Franklin. Etching by Henri Lefort after Duplessis, 1898. Photo: Library of Congress

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Major support for the WTTW presentation of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN comes from Rita and John Canning and Marshall Field V.