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Benjamin Franklin Collection
Notifications
Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most prominent of the founders and early political figures and statesmen of the United States despite never holding national elective office. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin became a newspaper editor, printer, and merchant in Philadelphia, Pa. He also played a major role in establishing both the University of Pennsylvania and the Franklin and Marshall College. Franklin had several extramarital liaisons, including that which produced his illegitimate Loyalist son, William Franklin, who became the colonial governor of New Jersey.
The collection consists of selected correspondence and documents, both original and copies, of Benjamin Franklin and his son William Franklin. Correspondents include Francis Childs, Robert Cochran, Humphrey Marshall, and William Robertson. There is a fragment of a letter by Franklin to his children, dated 14 May 1771, from Passy (France). In addition, there is a preliminary sketch in pencil of Franklin made by Justus Chevillet for his 1778 portrait engraving, as well as three invoices addressed to Joseph Wharton from Franklin & Hall printers covering work done from 1748 to 1765. A document (1771) signed by William Franklin appoints William Paterson as solicitor and counselor at law for the Province of New Jersey.
Arranged by accession number.
The collection was formed as a result of a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.
Various AM.
Finding aid written by James Flannery on February 17, 2006. Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager (2015) in 2012.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Place
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Date
- 2006
- Access Restrictions
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The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
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