HeyJaredDr. Benjamin Franklin, LL.D., F.R.S.
Benjamin Franklin writes about his life and times, and perhaps ours.
- Indexed issues, last 90 days
- 15
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- Sep 28, 2026
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- Aug 10, 2026
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Electrical Beginnings (opens the original)
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Kind Reader,My correspondence with Mr. Peter Collinson, F.R.S., began with the formation of our Library Company in 1731, Mr. Collinson, a Quaker merchant resident in London, agreeing to assist us in acquiring proper books for our collection. In 1745 he sent me some articles pertaining to electricity, and even aided me in obtaining an electrical apparatus.I give you today two letters concerned with the beginnings of my electrical work. I omit the two long letters I wrote between these two, descri
My Salem Aunt (opens the original)
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Kind Reader,Today I will alter my usual practice, and give to you a curious old document, written some before I was born, and forbear explaining why I do so until after you have read it.__________Salem – June 30, 1692.The deposition of Samuel Parris, aged about 39 years, and Nathanael Ingersoll, aged about 58 years, and Thomas Putnam, aged about 40 years, all of Salem --Testifieth and saith that John Indian, Ann Putman, and Abigail Williams, and others of the bewitched persons, were several time
We Have Done Our Best (opens the original)
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Kind Reader,I give you today a letter I wrote to my sister Jane immediately after the close of the Philadelphia convention wherein our new federal constitution was drafted. As I am in a rush this morning, nothing more will be here added byyour friend and obedient servant,B. Franklin_____________________________Philadelphia – September 20, 1787.Dear Sister,I received your kind letter of the 16th past, which gave me the great pleasure of learning that you were well. I thought I before acknowledged
My Last Speech (opens the original)
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Kind Reader, In 1787, as the delegates to the Federal Convention were preparing to vote on the new constitution, over which we had labored since May, I wished to address a few remarks to the company. I was not well, however, and my voice was too weak to be heard, so my speech was read for me by James Wilson.I had hoped that the delegates would see fit to adopt the proposed constitution unanimously. It was clear there was little hope of that; so, I proposed that the instrument be declared to have
Unchaining the Tiger (opens the original)
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Kind Reader, While I was living in London, a young acquaintance sent me a piece he had written with a mind to publish it, wishing to know my opinion of the doctrine in contained. This I did not give him, but rather advised him to drop the matter. I learned in my youth the inconvenience and trouble that accrues to one who is thought to be an infidel. I learned also that some doctrines are not useful, whether true or not. Thus was the following letter of advice written by you humble and obedient s
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