Franklin, whose life has been celebrated as a quintessential American story, was anything but typical. His 84 years spanned nearly the entirety of the 18th century, an epoch of revolutionary change in science, technology, literature, politics and government—change that Franklin himself helped to advance. He launched the first public library in America, organized a volunteer fire company, and founded an academy that eventually became the University of Pennsylvania. His annual publication, “Poor Richard’s Almanack,” set a model for future humorists such as Mark Twain and contained maxims that are still part of our shared lexicon. And his famous experiments with electricity led to one of his most important inventions—the lightning rod.
Preview Bejamin Franklin...
Benjamin Franklin airs Monday & Tuesday, April 4 & 5, 2022 at 8:00 pm on WSKG-HD. (Repeats at 10:00 pm each night.) Benjamin Franklin will also repeat on Sunday, April 10, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution