Episode 031: Benjamin Franklin and the Papers of Benjamin Franklin Editorial Project

by Liz CovartMay 26, 2015

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Portrait of Franklin by Joseph Siffred Duplessis (ca. 1785)

Benjamin Franklin’s life spanned almost the entire 18th century.

Between his birth on January 17, 1706 and his death on April 17, 1790, Franklin lived well-traveled and accomplished life.

Michael D. Hattem, research assistant for the Papers of Benjamin Franklin Documentary Editing Project, leads us on an exploration of the life and deeds of Benjamin Franklin.

About the Show

Ben Franklin’s World is a podcast about early American history.

It is a show for people who love history and for those who want to know more about the historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present-day world.

Each episode features a conversation with an historian who helps us shed light on important people and events in early American history.

Episode Summary

In today’s episode, Michael D. Hattem, research assistant for the Papers of Benjamin Franklin Documentary Editing Project, leads us on an exploration of the life and deeds of Benjamin Franklin.

During our conversation, Michael reveals how Yale University became home to the Papers of Benjamin Franklin documentary editing project and how the project began; Details about Benjamin Franklin’s politics and activities during the American Revolution and its War for Independence; And, the answers to several listener questions including Benjamin Franklin’s duties as postmaster and how he revolutionized the postal system of British North America.

What You’ll Discover

How Yale University became home to the Papers of Benjamin Franklin Documentary Editing Project
Overview of the papers Benjamin Franklin left behind and which repositories hold them
The “editing” performed by documentary editors at the Papers of Benjamin Franklin Editorial Project
Details about Benjamin Franklin’s life and accomplishments
Details about how Franklin franchised his printing business
How Benjamin Franklin assisted American POWs during the War for American Independence
Franklin’s views on suffrage for white men
Franklin’s activities in France after negotiating the Treaty of Paris 1783

Franklin’s views on the Society of Cincinnati
Franklin’s essay about European emigration to the United States
Why Franklin preferred hard working immigrants for the United States rather than wealthy immigrants
How Franklin viewed John and Abigail Adams and Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin’s political views during the 1760s and early 1770s
The role Benjamin Franklin played in the imperial government during the Stamp Act crisis
Franklin’s involvement in the Thomas Hutchinson Letter scandal (1773)
How editors at the Papers of Benjamin Franklin determine whether Franklin wrote an anonymous newspaper essay
Cadwallader Colden and his relationship with Benjamin Franklin
Franklin’s duties and responsibilities as postmaster
How Benjamin Franklin revolutionized the postal system in colonial America
The accuracy of Dean Norris’ portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in History Channel’s Sons of Liberty miniseries
Information about the Papers of Benjamin Franklin digital editions

Links to People, Places, and Publications

Time Warp Question

In your opinion what might have happened if Benjamin Franklin had not run away from Boston? Do you think he would have found his way to Philadelphia? Opened his own press? Accomplished as much as he did if he hadn’t run away?