Franklin and Music for Band
Benjamin Franklin and the Art of Music, by Robert W. Smith is a three-movement piece for band saluting Franklin. The publisher (C. L. Barnhouse) has an introductory page with audio.
Stained Glass – Franklin and Bamboo
A few years ago I purchased a stained glass window through an online auction because it featured a portrait of Benjamin Franklin. The exact history of this window is unknown to me, including where it was initially installed, but it’s been part of our home, and now hangs in the formal corner of our home’s …
Temple’s Handwriting
There is a lovely manuscript letter written by William Temple Franklin coming up for auction (March 26, 2020, in Malaga, Spain). The image captures his fabulous handwriting. On December 30, 1778, WTF wrote to Monsieur Ruault, Librarian, stating `I beg you, Monsieur Ruault, to send to Passy, tomorrow, 2 copies of my Grandfather’s works. The …
Franklin and Slavery
To the co-namesake of my son, Benjamin Thomas…. Dear Tom, You asked me online quite a while ago about Franklin and slavery. It’s true, he owned slaves for a while, even though later he joined (and was president of) our first society to abolish African slavery in America. It’s a tough issue for Franklinians, like …
Franklin & Washington
I’m looking forward to Edward J. Larson’s book, Franklin & Washington: The Founding Partnership, which was released on February 11, 2020. I found my copy on the shelf in a wonderful bookstore (Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown, West Virginia) a few days ago. George Washington knew how to say goodbye, as seen in the profound …
Franklin Celebration 2020
Bring with you sweet flow’rets from grove and from streamOf things more than mortal your Franklin did dreamAnd beings not mortal shall lend you their aidTo deck the green grave where your Franklin is laid Since 1791, when that line was sung at the graduation ceremonies of The Philadelphia Academy, walking to the gravesite of …
Franklin the Southpaw
Benjamin Franklin is often cited as a left-handed person. I believe this flows from his Petition of the Left Hand, an essay about the feelings of the left hand itself. Artist Dean Morrissey appears among those convinced, as he features Franklin with a quill in his left hand in this lovely modern portrait: One of …
Privy Discovered Downstairs
A couple in Philadelphia discovered an 18th-Century privy under their new building near the river. The content and links from this Hidden City Philadephia story reveals some terrific pottery finds, and introduces a pair of very sweet people. Thanks to the Boghouse podcast.
Layoffs at HSP
So sorry to discover today’s posting at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania that they have laid of ten staff members, representing a 30% reduction in workforce. I have encountered some precious materials there, entirely unique in Franklin’s legacy, and wish everyone involved well in their current difficulties.
Grouchy, for Sure
I listened to an audio version of Ed Asner and Ed. Weinberger’s 2017 book, The Grouchy Historian: An Old-Time Lefty Defends Our Constitution Against Right-Wing Hypocrites and Nutjobs. The audio version was read by Mr. Asner himself. It is related to multiple books written to clarify that the Framers of the Constitution were elite, self-serving …