Franklin as Philanthropist
This article by the Smithsonian includes images of several nice objects.
Archive of entries posted on April 2018
Benjamin Lay, Abolitionist
This informative page by BBC News is a valuable introduction to Benjamin Lay. May 2018 article in the Washington Post: The Quaker abolitionist disowned by his faith for condemning slave owners.
Historical Fiction: Franklin with Internet
Damien Ober’s new book, “Doctor Benjamin Franklin’s Dream America,” published by Night Shade Books of New York, sounds interesting.
Who is John Paradise?
I’ve been studying the Franklin, Massachusetts library, and reading through the correspondence between Dr. Richard Price and Benjamin Franklin in the 1780s. Their discussion ranges wonderfully — through Georgiana Shipley’s woes, the miracle of compound interest, the Finances of France, nasty reports of chaos in America (discounted by Franklin), great confusion in England (reported by …
Library of Congress Digital Archive
The Announcement in Philly.com is a nice introduction to The Benjamin Franklin Papers collection at the Library of Congress. Nice timing on the announcement, on April 17, 2018, the 228th anniversary of Dr. Franklin’s death. Announcement on Fine Books & Collections Here is coverage by Smithsonian Magazine.
Alas, Poor Mungo!
John Kelly of the Washington Post features Squirrel Week each year, and he’s all over Mungo. At the end of his most recent addition he clarifies where Mungo actually died: But it turns out that when Mungo died, Twyford House was being renovated. The Shipleys were living at a place called Northwood House, 14 miles …
Franklinia Tree
A nice mention of the home of the Franklinia tree in John Bartram’s Home, though the formal name is not spelled exactly correctly. See Missouri Botanical Garden’s entry.
Franklin, Massachusetts Library
The library at Franklin, Massachusetts has an intimate connection with Dr. Franklin, and is re-housing their collection of books he donated. They were displayed in a standalone, closed bookcase from 1904 till now (2018), when they are going to a more accessible presentation, according to this news report on the renovation. Congratulations! In 1778, the westerly …